Legislative Leaders

The President of the Senate presides over the Senate, and the Speaker of the House presides over the House of Representatives. The President and Speaker have many other responsibilities in addition to presiding over the chamber during session, including:

1. The responsibility to appoint members to committees.
2. The responsibility to appoint chairs of committees.
3. The responsibility to choose which committee will consider a bill first.
4. The responsibility to rule on procedural matters during sessions.

The roles of the President Pro Tempore and Speaker Pro Tempore are defined by the President or Speaker and the Senate or House Rules. Although they may preside in the chamber during the absence of the President or Speaker, a different senator or representative could also be chosen to preside.

Non-Member Officers

The Senate elects a Secretary of the Senate and the House appoints a Clerk of the House. These non-member constitutional officers have various responsibilities including:

1. Recording events of the session.
2. Keeping the records of their respective houses.
3. Authenticating each bill passed by the legislature.
4. Publishing the journals and calendars of their respective houses.

When the legislature is in session, each day's official actions are recorded and published in the journal.

Sergeants at Arms

Each chamber has a Sergeant at Arms who is in charge of maintaining order in the chamber, gallery, and in committee rooms. Each sergeant also maintains that house's property.