ART. 23] INSURANCE COMPANIES. 215

163, to report the same to the State's Attorney for the county or city in
which such offense may have been committed. No person shall be
excused from testifying, or from producing any books, contracts, agree-
ments or documents at the trial of any person charged with violating
any provision of either of said sections on the ground that such testi-
mony or evidence may tend to incriminate himself, but no person shall
be prosecuted for any act concerning which he shall be compelled so to
testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, except for per-
jury committed in so testifying.

1908, ch. 322, sec. 157A. 1914, ch. 529.

166. All persons, individuals, firms, associations and corporations
obtaining insurance on property situate in this State, (owned by indi-
viduals or firms resident in this State, or corporations incorporated
under the laws of this State), against fire, lightning, or tornado, from
companies, associations, firms or corporations not authorized to transact
business in this State, shall file with the insurance commissioner of the
State a statement or declaration setting forth the name of the company,
number of policy, amount of insurance, rate, premium and description
of property; shall be required to pay a tax thereon of five per cent, of
the premium paid on such policies to the sadd commissioner, and shall
further pay a fee to said insurance commissioner of one dollar on each
policy for making a record of the said statement or declaration, which
record shall be kept for the private information of the insurance depart-
ment of this State, and shall not be a public record.

167.

This section referred to in 'construing section 149—see notes thereto.
Cumberland Gaslight Co. v. W. Va. Gas Co., 188 Fed. 585.

Insurance Department.

1004, art. 23, sec. 158. 1888, art. 23, sec. 121. 1860, art. 56, sec. 27. 1858, ch. 432,
sec. 1. 1872, ch. 388. 1874, ch. 400. 1876, ch. 248. 1878, ch. 106.
1900, ch. 700. 1912, ch. 355.

175. There shall be a distinct department, to be known as the State
Insurance Department, which shall be charged with the execution of
the laws of this State in relation to insurance, the principal office for
which shall be located in the City of Baltimore. The chief officer of
said department shall be appointed by the Governor, Comptroller and
Treasurer, or by a majority of them, for the term of four years, and
shall be known as the State Insurance Commissioner of Maryland, who
shall receive an annual salary of twenty-five hundred dollars, payable
only out of the receipts of said department authorized by this article;
provided, however, that no person who is a director, officer or agent, of,
or directly or indirectly interested in any insurance company except as
insured, shall be appointed as such Insurance Commissioner. Said
State Insurance Commissioner shall hold office during the term for
which he is appointed and until his successor is appointed and qualified.