The state commissioner of public institutions shall have charge and control of the insurance of all buildings and property of the state, and shall keep the same property insured against loss by fire, by explosion of steam boilers, and the like; but the insurance of the property of the state at the seat of government shall first be authorized by the board of public works. The commissioner of public institutions shall keep a record of all such insurance, which shall show the name of each insurance company, the number, date and amount of insurance of each policy written by it, the rate of premium, the building or other property on which insurance is placed, the amount of insurance upon each building, the period for which written, the date of its expiration, and such other matters as the commissioner may deem pertinent.