HB 816 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund - Affordability Program and Industry Automobile Insurance Association Assessments

HB 816 changes the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund's purpose to require that it provide financial security "at affordable rates" for eligible residents who cannot obtain insurance from regular companies. It authorizes the Fund's Executive Director to establish an affordability program that may bypass standard rate regulations under Maryland insurance law. This program would help lower insurance costs for qualifying drivers by allowing the Fund to set rates based on affordability rather than typical industry factors. The bill amends specific sections of Maryland's insurance code to implement these changes, effective October 1, 2026.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund - Affordability - Purpose of Fund and Authorized Program → Third - Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund - Affordability Program and Industry Automobile Insurance Association Assessments · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated to reflect its progression through the legislative process, including new sponsors and committee actions. Substantively, the bill now authorizes a new affordability program for private passenger auto insurance and modifies the cap on industry assessments from 3% to 1% to ensure financial stability while providing lower rates to eligible drivers.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include the establishment of a new affordability program and the modification of assessment allocation percentages for the Industry Automobile Insurance Association.

TIMELINE

Added legislative history markers indicating the bill was reassigned to the Judiciary committee, adopted with amendments, and read for a second time.

ELIGIBILITY

Created a new section (20-521) establishing an affordability program that allows the Fund to issue private passenger auto insurance policies with maximum rates that may be inadequate.

FISCAL

Changed the assessment allocation percentage cap for the private passenger auto division from 3% to 1%.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements that the affordability program must not result in an overall inadequacy greater than 20% of the Fund's net written premiums.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Association' and 'Board of Directors' to clarify the roles of the Industry Automobile Insurance Association.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 22, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

How they voted

34–0

Passed · 15 other

Total votes 49

Mar 22, 2026

D Democratic36

24 Yea 12

66% Yea

R Republican13

10 Yea 3

76% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 26, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 741

executive

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Returned Passed

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Adopted

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable Report by Finance

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Finance

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

lower

Mar 22, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (34-0-15)

senate

Mar 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 21, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary

lower

Mar 11, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (99-38-5)

house of delegates

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

First Reading Environment and Transportation

lower

18 primary · 0 co-sponsors