SB 469 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

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

Maryland Senate Bill 469 modifies the purpose of the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund to explicitly require that financial security provided by the Fund be offered at "affordable rates" to eligible drivers who cannot obtain insurance from private companies. It authorizes the Fund's Executive Director to establish a dedicated affordability program, allowing the program to operate even if it would otherwise conflict with standard insurance rate regulations. This change directly affects drivers unable to secure private auto insurance and shifts the Fund’s operational focus toward affordability. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, and updates specific sections of Maryland’s Insurance Article (20-301, 20-507).

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed May 26, 2026

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What changed between versions

Third - Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund - Affordability Program and Industry Automobile Insurance Association Assessments → Enrolled - Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund - Affordability Program and Industry Automobile Insurance Association Assessments · 3 edits · May 26, 2026

MINOR

The bill was converted from a draft Senate Bill to an Enrolled Bill, indicating it has passed all legislative stages and is ready for the Governor's signature. The substantive policy text regarding the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund remains unchanged, preserving the affordability program, assessment caps, and eligibility criteria for low-income drivers.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the text is identical to the previous version, only the status and formatting have been updated.

TECHNICAL

The document header was updated to reflect the bill's status as 'Enrolled' and included the standard Great Seal presentation language for the Governor.

Minor formatting adjustments were made to the explanatory notes regarding how amendments and deletions are marked in the text.

The bill number and committee assignment details were adjusted to match the enrolled format, while the core legislative text (Sections 20-101, 20-301, 20-405, and 20-507) remained identical.

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 amended to expand its scope by adding a new section that allows the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund to establish an 'Affordability Program' for low-income drivers. This program provides a safety net by offering private passenger auto insurance at rates that may be inadequate, ensuring coverage for individuals whose household income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. Additionally, the bill updated the legal sections repealed and reenacted to include new provisions regarding the calculation of assessment allocation percentages for the Industry Automobile Insurance Association.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general fund affordability to explicitly authorizing a specific affordability program for low-income individuals and modifying the assessment cap for the insurance industry association.

ELIGIBILITY

Created a new Affordability Program allowing the Fund to issue policies at inadequate rates to individuals with household incomes not exceeding 250% of the federal poverty level.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section (20-521) establishing the legal framework, conditions, and limitations for the Affordability Program, including a 20% cap on overall fund inadequacy.

Repealed and reenacted Section 20-405 to add a new subsection (d) requiring the Industry Automobile Insurance Association to calculate assessment allocation percentages and capping the private passenger auto division assessment at 1%.

SCOPE

Updated the bill's title and purpose to include the authorization of the Affordability Program and the alteration of the assessment cap for the Industry Automobile Insurance Association.

Repealed and reenacted Section 20-101 to add a new definition for 'Association' as the Industry Automobile Insurance Association.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026

How they voted

44–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Mar 24, 2026

D Democratic36

33 Yea 3

91% Yea

R Republican13

11 Yea 2

84% 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 742

executive

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Enrolled

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Introduced

Senate Concurs House Amendments

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion Special Order until End Of This Calendar (Delegate Bartlett) Adopted

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Judiciary

lower

Mar 25, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (101-35-6)

house of delegates

Mar 24, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (44-0-5)

senate

Mar 23, 2026

Committee

Referred Judiciary

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

First Reading Finance

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors