598                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                     [CH. 172

(2)    To enable insurers to become eligible for Federal reinsurance
under the provisions of Title XI of the Housing and Urban Develop-
ment Act of 1968, which adds a new title to the National Housing
Act: Title XII—National Insurance Development Program.

(3)    To encourage the improvement of the condition of properties
located in the urban areas of Maryland and to further orderly com-
munity development generally.

(4) To publicize the purposes and procedures of this Act to the
end that no one may fail to seek its assistance through ignorance
thereof.

DEFINITIONS
478B.

As used in this subtitle, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1)    "Association" means the Joint Insurance Association formed
by insurers to assist applicants in urban areas in securing Essential
Property Insurance, and to administer a program under this Act.

(2)    "Commissioner" means the State Insurance Commissioner of
Maryland.

(3)    "Inspection Bureau" means the organization designated by
the Association with the approval of the Commissioner to make in-
spections as required under this Act and to perform such other
duties as may be authorized by the Association.

(4) "Insurer" means any insurance company or other organiza-
tion which is authorized to engage in the insurance business under the
laws of any state.

(5)    "Premiums Written" means gross direct premiums (exclud-
ing premiums or portions of premiums relating to risks ceded to the
Joint Insurance Association) charged during the second preceding
calendar year with respect to property in this State on all policies
of Essential Property Insurance and the Essential Property In-
surance components of multi-peril policies as computed by the As-
sociation, less return premiums, dividends paid or credited to policy-
holders, or the unused or unabsorbed portions of premium deposits.

(6)    "Essential Property Insurance" means insurance against
direct loss to property as defined and limited in standard fire policies
and extended coverage endorsement thereon, as approved by the Com-
missioner, and insurance for such types, classes and locations of
property against the perils of vandalism, malicious mischief, bur-
glary, or theft as the Secretary by rule shall designate. Such insur-
ance shall not include automobile insurance and shall not include
insurance on such types of manufacturing risks as may be excluded
by the Commissioner.

(7)    "Secretary" means the Secretary of the United States De-
partment of Housing and Urban Development.

(8)    "Urban Area" includes any municipality or other political
subdivision of Maryla