On March 4, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 690 – Property and Casualty Insurance – Distribution of Premium Tax Proceeds to State Disaster Recovery Fund. 

This bill establishes a modest, defined annual funding commitment to the State Disaster Recovery Fund (SDRF), ensuring Maryland can respond and deliver relief to residents and communities when federal disaster assistance proves unavailable or insufficient.

Counties are often the first to respond when disasters strike — opening shelters, clearing debris, and repairing critical infrastructure — but recent experiences have shown that federal support is not always guaranteed. By providing a stable funding stream for the SDRF, the bill aims to give Maryland a more reliable tool to help communities recover when disaster costs outpace local capacity.

From MACo Testimony:

This bill makes a modest but meaningful commitment to the SDRF, ensuring communities have support when disaster costs outpace available local resources amid growing uncertainty surrounding the federal government’s role in disaster response and recovery.

SB 690’s cross-file, HB 1189, was heard on March 5 in the Judiciary Committee. Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified in support of this bill.

More on MACo’s Advocacy: 

• Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2026 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database
• Learn more about MACo’s 2026 Legislative Initiatives
• Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog