The Clerk of the House is the chief administrative officer of the House of Representatives. The clerk is elected by House members at the beginning of each biennium. Among other duties, the clerk keeps a journal of House proceedings, reads bills, messages and papers before the House; notifies committees of their membership and refers business to them; certifies vouchers for the officers and employees of the House; has charge of all papers and documents in the possession of the House; and transmits messages and documents to the Governor and Senate.
The clerk, in association with the Secretary of the Senate, is responsible for suggesting committee references for bills. They jointly edit the House and Senate registers.
The clerk's office keeps copies of each House roll call vote. All House printing is under the direction of the clerk. In addition to preparing each day's House Calendar and the House portion of the Legislative Record, the clerk issues the Weekly Legislative Report listing all bills printed and all bills enacted. The Weekly Legislative Calendar lists meetings of legislative committees, commissions and other groups of interest to legislators; it is published year round.
The clerk schedules school bands for weekly concerts on the opening legislative day of each week of a session and the services of a member of the clergy to provide an opening prayer on each day of the session. The clerk is assisted in all matters by the assistant clerk who is also elected by the House.
The following additional staff serve the House: