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Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor
| Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Term limits: | Two terms in a 16 year period |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Montana Constitution, Article VI, Section 1 the Executive Department |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder | |
 | |
| Name: | Monica Lindeen |
| Officeholder Party: | Democratic |
| Assumed office: | January 2009 |
| Compensation: | $86,018 |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | Term-limited |
| Last election: | November 6, 2012 |
| Other Montana Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Public Instruction • Agriculture Director • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Director • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
Contents |
The Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Montana State Auditor is an elected state executive position in the Montana state government.
A 2006 ballot measure sought to rename the office of state auditor to "insurance commissioner." The measure's supporters argued that renaming the office would prevent confusion, as the Montana state auditor does not audit "in the traditional sense." The auditor's primary responsibility is to regulate the state's insurance industry. The measure was defeated by a margin of 64.1% to 35.9%.
Current officeholder
The current officeholder is Monica Lindeen (D). She assumed office in 2009 and was re-elected in 2012.
Authority
The state Constitution addresses the office of auditor in Article VI, the Executive Department.
Under Article VI, Section I:
|
The executive branch includes a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, and auditor. |
Qualifications
A candidate for auditor must be:
- at least 25 years of age or older at the time of election
- a citizen of the United States
- have resided within the state at least two years at his election
Elections
Article VI of the Montana State Constitution stipulates that the auditor is a publicly elected official who serves a term of four years. Terms begin the first Monday of January following election.
2012
Incumbent Monica Lindeen (D) successfully won re-election, defeating Derek Skees (R) in the November 6, 2012 general election.
| Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, State Auditor General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Monica Lindeen Incumbent |
53.5% | 248,447 | |
| Republican | Derek Skees | 46.5% | 215,743 | |
| Total Votes | 464,190 | |||
| Election Results via Montana Secretary of State. | ||||
Term limits
The state auditor will, according to Article IV, Section 8, have served in that office or had he not resigned or been recalled would have served in that office 8 or more years in any 16-year period.
Vacancies
Details of vacancies are addressed under Article VI, Section 6.
If the auditor's office is vacant due to death, resignation, or disability, the Governor shall appoint a new auditor.
Duties
The state Constitution addresses the duties of the auditor in Article VI, Section 4.
Under Article VI, Section 4(5):
|
The superintendent of public instruction and the auditor shall have such duties as are provided by law. |
The commissioner's website provides an overview of the duties of the office:[1]
The Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Montana State Auditor, is a criminal justice agency whose primary mission is to protect Montana's consumers through insurance and securities regulation. We work hard everyday to educate and assist the public about the wide range of issues in insurance and securities. We are committed to ensuring fairness, transparency and access in the securities and insurance industries.
Compensation
The state Constitution addresses compensation of executive officials in Article VI, Section 5.
Under Article VI, Section 5(1):
|
Officers of the executive branch shall receive salaries provided by law. |
In 2010, the Montana State Auditor was paid an estimated $82,420 according to the Council of State Governments.[2]
Contact information
Department Address
840 Helena Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Phone: 406-444-2040
TTYD: 406-444-3246
Fax: 406-444-3497
See also
External links
References
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