The Secretary of the Senate (SOS) is comprised of 4 departments: Administrative, Committee Clerks, Session Staff, and Senate Television Services (SenTel).
The Secretary of the Senate is elected by the Senators as a statutory officer at the beginning of each four-year Senate term. As the parliamentarian and record keeper of the Senate, the Secretary fulfills many constitutional requirements of the Senate. These duties are assigned in statute, Joint rules and Senate rules and include the “care and preservation” of bills and Senate records; recording and validating official Senate actions; enrolling of bills; preparing the journal of each day’s proceedings; disseminating of bills, resolutions and amendments to Senators; noticing of committee meetings; maintaining and recording of committee actions; and presenting bills to the Governor.
The Secretary’s most visible role is the work on the podium during session — announcing the proceedings, reading in communications and bills, recording votes, and presiding in the absence of designated presiding officers. The Secretary’s office is also responsible for management of Session Staff, Committee Clerks, Senate Television Services and special projects. Additionally, the Secretary serves on the Michigan Capitol Commission, which governs the Michigan State Capitol Historic Site, maintains and restores the State Capitol Building, and maintains and improves the grounds of the site. The Secretary of the Senate’s office is located in Room S-5 of the State Capitol.
