Speaker of the House

Role Description

• Elected by the entire legislature
• Uses and understands the rules of parliamentary procedure
• Serves as chairman of the Rules Committee
• Serves as leader of the majority party
• Encourages and helps the committee chairmen formulate legislative strategy
• Makes the final decision regarding which bills will be amended
• Appoints qualified students to the position of sergeant at arms, secretary, and head clerk during Full Session
• Allots the amount of discussion time for each bill to the floor leaders
• Takes control and conduct a well-organized full session
• Demands time both in and out of school for preparation in Committee Hearings and Full Session
• Is enthusiastic and motivate other students in bringing life to Full Session
• Must arrange meetings with party leadership during Advisory to ensure that goals are being set and party philosophy is being maintained
• Exerts power over the legislative process by setting the House legislative calendar determining when bills will be debated and voted on. (This allows the Speaker to resurrect bills defeated in Committee Hearings and assign them to Full Session or prevent bills that passed Committee Hearing from going to Full Session.)
  • Often utilizes this power to help fulfill his or her responsibility of making sure bills supported by the majority party are passed by the House