Clerk of the Assembly

The election and duties of the Clerk of the Assembly are prescribed in several sections of the Legislative Law (Laws of 1909, Chapter 37). The Clerk is elected by a majority of the Assembly and works under the direction of the Speaker of the Assembly. The position of Clerk of the Assembly has been in existence since 1777, with the its inclusion in the first state constitution. Among the important functions of the Clerk of the Assembly are the following: ensures that the rules and orders covering the daily business of the Assembly are followed by Members and staff; directs the administrative functions of the Assembly to ensure proper and systematic flow of business; reads the daily calendar and other matters brought before the Assembly; signs an order on the passage of each bill or resolution passed by the Assembly; and prepares a Members' directory and reviews the Clerk's Manual of the Legislature. The clerk is responsible for the care of papers and records of the Assembly. These include bills and amendments, bill memoranda, various indexes tracking the introduction and progress of Assembly bills and reception of bills from the Senate and minutes and hearings of public meetings. The Clerk is also responsible for compiling and printing the Assembly Journal and for recording the final voting on legislation.