Montana Department of Administration, Information Services Division records, 1970-1996

In 1951 the Montana Legislative Assembly created the Office of State Controller to assume the duties of the state accountant. The controller was appointed by the governor for an eight-year term and was directed to establish a system of financial control, install a uniform accounting and reporting system, examine appropriation requests, and submit a revised and final budget to the legislature. The controller was also the ex-officio state purchasing agent. The Department of Administration (DOA) was originally established under the Office of the State Controller by Chapter 271, Session Laws of 1963.

As a result of the Executive Reorganization Act passed in 1971, the Department of Administration was reestablished, and the title state controller was changed to director. As of 2024, Administration Divisions include: Director’s Office, Architecture and Engineering, Banking and Financial Institutions, General Services, Health Care & Benefits, Rick Management and Tort Defense, State Financial Services, State Human Resources, State Information Technology Services, and State Office of Labor Relations. The State Information Technology Services Division was previously known as the Computer Services Division, Data Processing Bureau and as the Information Services before assuming its current title. For a full list of current Divisions, Bureaus, and Administration staff, visit the Department of Administration Directory.