Sergeant-At-Arms Office

Centennial Office Building
3rd Floor
St. Paul, MN  55155
Phone: 651-296-4860
Lori Hodapp, Chief Sergeant at Arms

The office provides many services for members, staff, and the public. The chief sergeant at arms heads the department. Other staff members include two full-time assistant sergeants and a legislative assistant. The chief sergeant is appointed by the speaker. The assistant sergeants are elected by the House members to serve with the chief sergeant as officers of the House. A number of pages are hired during a legislative session to assist in performing necessary duties.

Pages
Pages serve as support staff for all House and conference committee hearings and assist other departments in their duties. During session, pages assist members in the House chamber by obtaining copies of bills or other legislative materials and delivering messages from the public or other members. They also assist in preparing for a daily session by placing agendas and orders on each member's desk, as well as passing out amendments and other data during debate.

Parking
The sergeant's office coordinates parking spaces for members and staff. Parking information for the public is available from the sergeant's office for those attending meetings or visiting House lawmakers.

Security
The sergeant's office serves as a liaison with Capitol Security in providing security for House office areas. A major role for the chief sergeant is to provide a safe environment for members and staff at all times, particularly during session in the House chamber or during committee meetings.

The chief sergeant is responsible for decorum and protocol, and may be requested by the speaker to locate and escort members to the chamber during a roll call vote. Members may be escorted from the chamber, or visitors from the gallery, if they become disruptive.

The sergeant's office orders and distributes keys for offices, files, and desks; unlocks committee rooms for meetings; and authorizes Capitol Complex I.D. cards.

Mail Room
The House mail room receives and distributes mail for members and staff.

Text taken from the House of Representatives Legislative Handbook, published by the House of Representatives Public Information Services Office and House Educational Programs.