986                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [CH. 553

are required to qualify and be licensed by the provisions of this
article.

11.    Particular Provisions Prevail.

Provisions of this article relative to a particular kind of insurance
or a particular type of insurer or to a particular matter shall pre-
vail over provisions relating to insurance in general or insurers in
general or to such matter in general.

12.    General Penalty.

Each willful violation of any provision of this article, with respect
to which violation a greater penalty is not provided by other appli-
cable laws of this State, shall, in addition to any administrative pen-
alty otherwise applicable thereto, upon conviction in a court of com-
petent jurisdiction of this State be punishable by a fine of not more
than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

13.    Severability.

If any provision of this article or the application thereof to any
person or circumstance is held invalid for any reason, such invalidity
shall not affect the other provisions of this article or any other appli-
cation which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end, all provisions of this article are declared
to be severable.

2. THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

14.    Insurance Department.

(1)   There shall be continued a Department known as the State
Insurance Department of Maryland the purpose and function of
which shall be the execution of the powers and duties of the Com-
missioner as provided by this article. The principal office of the
Department shall be located in the City of Baltimore.

(2)   The Insurance Department shall be under the control and
supervision of the Commissioner.

15.    Insurance Commissioner.

(1)   The Commissioner shall be appointed by the Governor and
shall serve for a term of four years beginning on the first Monday of
May succeeding his appointment and until his successor shall be
appointed and shall qualify.

(2)   The Commissioner shall give bond to the State of Maryland
in the penalty of fifty thousand dollars conditioned upon the faithful
performance of the duties of his office.

(3)   The Commissioner shall receive compensation as provided in
the budget.

16.    Deputy Insurance Commissioner.

(1) The Commissioner shall appoint a Deputy Insurance Com-
missioner and during a vacancy in the office of the Commissioner, or
in the absence or disability of the Commissioner for any reason, the