HERBERT R. O'CONOR, GOVERNOR. 1395

to the making, filing and approval of rates for fire, inland
marine and allied lines of insurance, and to rating organiza-
tions.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That a new section be and the same is hereby added to
Article 48A of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1939 Edi-
tion), title "Insurance", sub-title "Fire Insurance", said new
section to follow immediately after Section 99 and to be
known as Section 99A.

99A. FIRE AND ALLIED INSURANCE RATING.

1. (Scope of Act. ) The provisions of this Act shall apply
to all types and classes of insurance written by stock and
mutual fire or fire and marine insurance companies, includ-
ing reciprocals or inter-insurers and Lloyds, or Associations
operating on a Lloyds Plan, against loss to property or
to any valuable interest therein, located in this State, in-
cluding all insurance which is now or hereafter defined by
statute, by ruling of the Commissioner or by lawful custom
as Inland Marine Insurance, but shall not apply to insurance
on vessels or craft, their cargoes, marine builder's risk, marine
protection and indemnity or other risks commonly insured
under Marine, as distinguished from Inland Marine, insurance
policies, or to Aviation insurance.

2. (Approval of Kates. ) On and after June 1, 1946, no
policy of insurance shall be issued at a charge or premium,
the rate for which has not been filed with and approved by
the Insurance Commissioner, provided, however, filing with
and approval by the Insurance Commissioner of a specific rate
for any policy of insurance shall not be required.

(a) If for a type of insurance and risk coming within a class
for which rates, rating schedules, rating methods or under-
writing rules have previously been filed with and approved
by the Insurance Commissioner, or

(b) If for risks which are designated, with the approval of
the Insurance Commissioner, as having essential elements of
such nature and variation as to make the application of
standard methods of rating by classification or by schedule
designed to measure the relative hazard impractical.

An insurer may satisfy its obligation to make such filings by
becoming a member of, or a subscriber to, a licensed rating
organization which makes such filings, and by authorizing the
Commissioner to accept such filings on its behalf.

Any and all rates, except as provided for above in sub-para-
graph (a), rate classifications, rating methods, schedules,
underwriting rules, by-laws or regulations shall be submitted
for approval to the Insurance Commissioner by an insurer, its