![[photo, 525 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/25ind/images/1198-1-1667.jpg)
c/o Maryland Insurance Administration
525 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, Maryland, December 2006. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Appointed by Governor: one vacancy
Appointed by Senate President: Jennie M. Forehand; Delores G. Kelley; Douglas J. J. Peters.
Appointed by House Speaker: Warren E. Miller; Doyle L. Niemann; David D. Rudolph.
Representing Maryland Land Title Association: Nathan Finkelstein, Esq.; Theodore C. Rogers.
Representing Maryland Coalition of Title Insurers: Joseph G. Blume, Jr.
Representing Maryland Association of Mortgage Brokers: James E. Clements
Representing Maryland Mortgage Bankers Association: Thomas J. Drechsler, Esq.
Representing Maryland Bankers Association: Gregory C. Cockerham
Representing Maryland State Builders Association: David M. Kochanski
Representing Maryland State Bar Association: Patrick M. Martyn; J. Paul Rieger, Jr.
Ex officio: Stuart J. Cordish, designee of Attorney General; Elizabeth P. Sammis, Interim Maryland Insurance Commissioner; Vicki Schultz, designee of Commissioner of Financial Regulation; Elizabeth Hartley Trimble, designee of Executive Director, State Real Estate Commission; Linda L. Rose, designee of Chair, Maryland Affordable Housing Trust.
Staff: Tinna D. Quigley
In July 2008, the Commission to Study the Title Insurance Industry in Maryland was formed (Chapters 356 & 357, Acts of 2008). The Commission is to recommend any needed changes to Maryland's laws pertaining to the title insurance industry. After reviewing existing State laws and how effectively they are enforced, the Commission will examine rate-setting factors for title insurance premiums and how rates and services in Maryland compare to those in other states using a different system. Further, the Commission will identify what issues in the title insurance industry most affect Maryland consumers; and how to better educate Maryland consumers about the title insurance industry. To determine their impact on title insurance rates, the Commission also will study arrangements among businesses involved in the settlement of real estate transactions, as well as any other issue which significantly affects the title insurance industry.
Further, the Commission will examine whether the blanket surety bond or letter of credit is adequate protection for consumers who suffer a loss from conversion or misappropriation of money recieved or held in trust or escrow by a title insurance producer. If the Commission determines that the blanket surety bond or letter of credit is not adequate, the Commission will evaluate the impact of an increase on title insurance producers (Chapter 361, Acts of 2009).
Authorization for the Commission extends through June 30, 2010.
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