application of local tax rates and eventual collec-
tion of taxes,

Cadastral or property location maps are pre-
pared by the Map Division. These maps, which
delineate property boundaries, comprise a com-
plete inventory of all land in the State. They are
drawn to scale and are integrated into the State
Grid System. They show ownership, sizes, refer-
ences, and depict natural and man-made features.
Aside from their public usefulness, they are an in-
valuable tool in making property assessments.

The Map Division also prepares maps showing
the different grades of soils, based upon agricul-
tural capability. These are in the process of being
drawn for Maryland's agricultural acreage. Addi-
tional staff provided in 1979 boosted production
of these maps to assist in the soil capability map
program used in agricultural assessments. In ad-
dition to base completion of fourteen counties,
unanticipated daily maintenance and revision
have been incorporated into the program. Addi-
tional overlays have been completed allowing im-
mediate update of owner information for 65 per-
cent of agriculturally-assessed areas.

The Department administers the Homeowners'
and Renters' Property Tax Credit Programs.
These Programs provide in excess of $40 million
in State-funded property tax credits to home-
owners and renters who qualify based on an in-
come test. The Homeowners' Program is available
to all homeowners in Maryland, regardless of
age, while the Renters' Program applies to renters
either age 60 or over, or permanently disabled.

The Department also provides clerical assis-
tance, as necessary, to several local Property Tax
Assessment Appeal Boards, although the Boards
are separate and independent from the Depart-
ment.

MARYLAND AUTOMOBILE
INSURANCE FUND

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Chairperson: Arthur L. Forbus

Appointed by the Governor: Rita A. Baikauskas,
Gerald H. Cooper, August A. Krometis, Wil-
liam H. Ross III, Fred C. Wright.

Appointed by the Board of Directors of the In-
dustry Automobile Insurance Association:
Harold Covey, J. R. Hannon, Thomas M.
Mahar, 0. M. Nicely, Wallace H. Smith.

Independent Agencies/345

THE AGENCY

Arthur L. Forbus, Executive Director
Vincent H. Howley, Deputy Executive Director

Morgan S. Anderson, Jr., Director of Fiscal Oper-
ations

W. Gary Sullivan, Director of Administration
E. F. Harrison, Jr., Director of Claims
Hugh D. Williams, Director of Underwriting

David C. Trageser, Director of Management Plan-
ning

1750 Forest Drive
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 269-1680

The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund
(MAIF) was created by Chapter 73, Acts of
1972, to replace the Maryland Automobile Insur-
ance Plan and the Unsatisfied Claim and Judg-
ment Fund (UCJF).

The MAIP is not part of any department of
the State government, but rather is an indepen-
dent body directly under the Governor. It per-
forms two basic functions: 1) assumes the role of
the former UCJF and processes and pays claims
against uninsured motorists; and 2) sells policies
of automobile liability insurance to those Mary-
land residents who have been rejected by at least
two private insurers or who have had a policy of
automobile liability insurance cancelled or non-re-
newed for any reason other than non-payment of
premiums. With respect to the second function,
MAIF acts as any private insurance company
and is subject to regulation by the Insurance
Commissioner.

Effective July 1, 1979, every owner of a motor
vehicle registered in this State must maintain the
basic required primary coverage of $20,000 /
$40,000 bodily injury, $10,000 property damage,
and $2,500 economic loss coverage. Such compul-
sory insurance is intended to reduce substantially
the number of uninsured claims. However, it is
not expected that they will disappear completely.
There will be hit and run accidents, out-of-state
uninsured drivers, and Marylanders who will not
comply with the law. For that reason the UCJF
function has been retained.

The MAIF receives no general funds from the
State of Maryland and its assets are not part of
the State Treasury. As a result MAIF is not sub-
ject to the normal budgetary review procedures.
The reasons for this broad exemption were noted
in oral testimony before the House Appropria-
tions Committee. The testimony summarized the
statutory operational environment that created
first, difficulty in estimating what personnel and