State office takes steps to retain identity

The Montana State Auditor’s Office is taking steps to retain its auditor identity following a failed ballot measure to change the name of the office to the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance.

Montana voters rejected the proposed constitutional amendment in the Nov. 4 general election with a final vote of 177,615 against the name change and 166,758 in favor.

A new website will be launched next spring and a new logo for the office was approved this week, according to Jennifer McKee, communications director for the Auditor’s Office.

The current website, at www.sao.mt.gov, and the logo focus on the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance identity, with Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica Lindeen named at the top of the website. 

The dual auditor and commissioner identities will continue with the new website, McKee said.

“One of our concerns has been that we’re the agency if people have complaints against their insurance company, we investigate,” she said. “We want people to be able to find us. [The title of] insurance commissioner is more intuitive than auditor.”

Montana’s Constitution defines the office as the state Auditor’s Office, while state law defines the office’s dual legal identities and defines the auditor as the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, McKee said.