Office of the Secretary of the Senate

Secretary of the SenateDaniel Alvarez, Secretary of the Senate.  Elected Secretary of the Senate on October 15, 2014.  Born and raised in Boyle Heights in East Los Angeles.  B.A. in Economics, UC Santa Barbara.  M.P.P. in Public Policy, University of Michigan. 

Began his legislative career with the Office of the Legislative Analyst in 1986.  Served as Deputy Superintendent of External Affairs with the State Department of Education under State Superintendent Delaine Eastin, Special advisor to the Assembly Speaker on education matters,  Consultant to the Assembly Ways and Means, Assembly Budget and Assembly Appropriations Committees, Staff Director of the Senate Budget Committee, 2003-2009, Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Education, 2010 – 2014.   CHAMBER-DOOR_SM.jpg

The Secretary of the Senate is one of the three officers of the Senate who are elected by the total Membership. The other two being the President pro Tempore and the Chief Sergeant-at-Arms. He or she is the chief parliamentarian and keeper of the legislative records, responsible for the accurate drafting of bills and their preparation for presentation to the Governor. He or she is also the Executive Officer of the Senate, in charge of the day-to-day administration of the house.

As the Senate's executive, the Secretary oversees a staff of 150 who serve the Rules Committee, the official administrative body of the Senate. He is assisted by deputy secretaries who manage operations, property, fiscal affairs, and human resources. The Rules staff also provides support to Rules Committee members in processing gubernatorial appointments, assigning bills, and establishing legislative procedures.

The Office of the Secretary of the Senate includes a number of staff members more commonly referred to as the "Senate Desk." When the Senate is in floor session, the Senate Desk staff is arrayed in front of the Senate Chamber. They have many ministerial tasks to ensure the orderly conduct of the business before the Senate, and the retention of legislative records for the use of the public. The Desk includes the Reading Clerk, History Clerk, File Clerk, and Journal Clerk. They create the official records of the Senate, which are available in hard copy through the Legislative Bill Room or over the Internet.

Office Address