President of the Senate, Lieutenant Governor,
Eleni Kounalakis
Under the State Constitution, the Lieutenant Governor serves as the President of the Senate.
However, by law and custom the role of the President is extremely limited. He or she may be
invited periodically to preside on ceremonial occasions, such as the opening of the Session.
However, the only time the Lieutenant Governor is actually entitled to participate in the
business of the Senate is in the case of a tie vote, when he or she casts the vote breaking
the tie.
President pro Tempore,
Toni G. Atkins (D)
The President pro Tempore, who also serves as the Chair of the Rule Committee, is the actual
leader of the Senate. He or she is elected by the Members at the beginning of each Session.
The "Pro Tem" is the presiding office on the Floor, overseeing the appointment of committee
members, assignment of bills, progress of legislation through the house, confirmation of
gubernatorial appointees, and overall direction of policy. He or she is also the
political leader of the majority party.
Majority Floor Leader,
Senator Robert M. Hertzberg (D)
The Majority Leader is chosen by the Majority Caucus, and serves as the main Floor manager
for the President pro Tempore and Majority Party. He or she also is the chief assistant in
political matters and strategy.
Republican Leader, Senator Scott Wilk (R)
The Republican Leader (also known as the "Minority Leader") is the second-most powerful
position in the Senate. Elected by members of the Minority Caucus, he or she speaks for the
Minority Party, maintains its inner discipline, and works with the President pro Tempore to
set the Senate's order of business.
Majority Whip, Senator Nancy Skinner (D)
Whips are essentially assistants to the political leadership of each party in the Senate.
They are elected by their respective caucuses, and help count potential votes on matters
which present particular party concerns.
Assistant Majority Whip, Senator María Elena Durazo (D)
Assistant Majority Whip, Senator Scott D. Wiener (D)
Whips are essentially assistants to the political leadership of each party in the Senate.
They are elected by their respective caucuses, and help count potential votes on matters
which present particular party concerns.
Democratic Caucus Chair,
Senator Connie M. Leyva (D)
Caucus chairs are elected by their respective parties. They convene caucus meetings, provide
political advice to their leadership, and manage staff assisting Members in providing
constituent services and communications with the public.
Democratic Caucus Vice Chair,
Senator Mike McGuire (D)
Republican Caucus Chair,
Senator Jim Nielsen (R)
Caucus chairs are elected by their respective parties. They convene caucus meetings, provide
political advice to their leadership, and manage staff assisting Members in providing
constituent services and communications with the public.
Secretary of the Senate,
Erika Contreras
The Secretary of the Senate is one of the three officers of the Senate who are elected by the
total Membership, the other two officers being the President pro Tempore and the Chief
Sergeant-at-Arms. He or she is the chief parliamentarian and keeper of the legislative
records. The Secretary of the Senate is responsible for the accurate drafting of bills and
the presentation of bills to the Governor. He or she is also the Executive Officer of the
Senate, in charge of the day-to-day administration of the budgeting, personnel, accounting,
purchases, contracting and property management.
Chief Sergeant at Arms,
Katrina Rodriguez
The Chief Sergeant-at-Arms, elected by the total Membership of the Senate, is responsible
for order on the Senate Floor, and in committees and meetings. He or she is essentially the
"chief" of the Senate's internal policing agency. The Chief Sergeant-at-Arms works closely
with the California Highway Patrol and the Assembly Sergeants to maintain the security of the
Capitol and Senate offices statewide. The Chief Sergeant also oversees various service
officers within the house.
Speaker,
Assembly Member Anthony Rendon
The highest ranking officer of the Assembly; usually elected by the Assembly Members at the
beginning of each two-year legislative session. The Speaker or his or her designee presides
over Floor Session. The Speaker's powers and duties are established by the Assembly Rules.
Speaker pro Tempore,
Assembly Member Kevin Mullin
An officer appointed by the Speaker that presides over Floor Sessions in the absence of the Speaker.
Majority Floor Leader, Assembly Member Eloise Gómez Reyes
Elected by the majority party caucus. Represents the Speaker on the Floor, expedites Assembly
Floor proceedings through parliamentary procedures such as motions and points of order and
promotes harmony among the membership.
Minority Floor Leader, Assembly Member James Gallagher
Elected by the caucus having the second largest House membership. Generally responsible for
making motions, points of order and representing the minority caucus on the Floor.
Chief Clerk, Sue Parker
A nonpartisan, nonmember officer of the Assembly elected by the majority of the membership
at the start of each two-year session as its legislative officer and parliamentarian.
Chief Sergeant-at-Arms, Alisa Buckley
Staff responsible for maintaining order and providing security for legislators. The Chief
Sergeant-at-Arms in each House is elected by a majority of the Members of that House at the
beginning of every legislative session.