Biography
Edit
 
Obadiah "Obie" Rutledge 
Secretary of the Senate
900 Court Street NE, Room 232
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 986-1851​

Britton Taylor

Senior Deputy Secretary of the Senate

Britton.M.Taylor@oregonlegislature.gov​

​​James Goulding

Deputy Secretary of the Senate​​​

James.Goulding@o​regonlegislature.gov

Bonnie Allen

Reading Clerk

Bonnie.Allen@oregonlegislature.gov​

McKenzie Barker

Measure Liaison

McKenzie.Barker@oregonlegislature.gov

​​​Wendy Cortes

Assistant to the Secretary

Wendy.Cortes@oregonlegislature.gov​

CLICK HERE FOR STAFF DIRECTORY​

The Secretary of the Senate is an officer of the Senate and serves as the Senate's chief legislative officer and parliamentarian. The Secretary is elected by the 30 members of the Senate to a two-year term.​

The Secretary of the Senate's Office is responsible for coordinating and documenting the actions of the Senate. In accordance with Senate Rules, the Secretary of the Senate's Office prepares the daily agenda, distributes information about measures throughout session, and keeps the Senate Journal. In addition, the Secretary of the Senate's Office assists the Senate with the confirmation of executive appointments. ​

​
 
Biography
Edit

​

The 83rd Oregon Legislative Assembly organized on January 13, 2025. 

The 2025 Regular Session of the Oregon Sena​te convened on January 21, 2025 and adjourned sine die at 11:15 PM on June 27, 2025.

The 2025 Special Session convened on August 29, 2025, and adjourned sine die at 12:10 PM on October 1, 2025.

The 2026 Regular Session convened on February 2, 2026 and adjourned sine die at 4:17 PM on March 6, 2026.


2026 Session C​alendar is available by clicking here.​

 


 
Biography
Edit

​​The Senate is governed by rules adopted by the members of the Senate. ​

On January 13, ​2025, the Ru​les of the Senate for the 83rd Legislative Assembly were adopted. Amendments were adopted on June 23, 2025. ​​

​The Senate Rules of the 83rd Assembly, adopted January 13, 2025, and amended on June 23, 2025, and February 2, 2026, are available by clicking here.​​​​



 
Details
Edit

A collection of documents and guides pertaining to procedures and protocols of the Oregon Senate.

​2026​ Procedure for filing LC drafts​​​​

Senate's Guide to Protocol and Decorum

Member Guidebook 83rd Legislative Assembly

Senate Opening Ceremony Guidelines​​​

​
 
Biography
Edit

​There are many words and terms unique to the legislative process.  To learn more, please visit the Legislative Glossary.

In addition, for those learning about the legislative​ process in Oregon, please see our short video explaining the basics.

​
 
Details
Edit

Note: Title of "Chief Clerk of the Senate" was changed to "Secretary of the Senate" in 1963.

 
Name
  
Date-Span
  
Edit
George Carpenter1858 
E. E. Haft1859 
J. C. Peebles1860 
Samuel A. Clarke1862 
E.P. Henderson1864 
J.C. Peebles1865-1866 
J.M. Simpson1868 
Sylvester Simpson1870-1878 
J.C. Peebles1880 
Austin Mires1882 
J. W. Strange1885 
E. G. Hursh1887 
John H. Shupe1889 
O. P. Miller1891-1893 
Walter Sinclair1895 
S. L. Moorhead1897-1905 
Frank S. Grant1907 
William H. Barry1909 
E. H. Flagg1911 
John W. Cochran1913-1919 
John P. Hunt1921-1937† 
Elizabeth J. Glatt1937* 
Zylpha-Zell Burns1939-1959 
Carl H. Cover1959 (1 month) 
Meda Cole1959-1963 
Dale Henderson1963 
Cecil L. Edwards1965-1975 
Maribel Cadmus1977-1987 
Donna Merrill1989-1993 
Judy M. Hall1995-2011 
Robert L. Taylor2011-2014 
Cynthia Johnston2014* 
Lori L. Brocker2014-2023 
Britton Taylor2023* 
Obadiah "Obie" Rutledge2024-Present 
Details
Edit

*  Acting secretary/clerk. 
†  Died in office, February 18, 1937.

 
Biography
Edit

 The Secretary of the Senate's Office is the guardian of Oregon's historic Senate Chamber.  The Senate Chamber is a unique treasure within Oregon's State Capitol.  For those interested in Oregon's historic Senate Chamber, please see the following:

Current Senate Seating Chart​​​​​

Senate Chamber Photo Gallery

Capitol Names: Historic Names Inscribed Above the Senate Cha​mber

Video: Tour of the Senate Chamber

 
Biography
Edit
​

Oregon has a citizen legislature, and for over 150 years citizens from throughout Oregon have served in the State Senate.  Please join us as we share the history of the Oregon State Senate, the Legislature, and the State Capitol.

Video: 1935 Oregon State Capitol Fire

Video: Oral History - Three Pieces of Advice

Video: Memorial for Sen. Debbs Potts - February 2, 2004

Video: Senate Rooms Honoring Historic Figures

Historic Senate Seating Chart - Listing Members 1939-2024​

Restoration of Dr. McLoughlin's Statue Outside Senate Wing

 
Link of Interest
  
Link Description
  
Edit
​Oregon S​tate Capitol Foundation​Link to the organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the Oregon State Capitol. 
American Society of Legislative Clerks and SecretariesLink to the organization of state legislative parliamentarians 
National Conference of State Legislatures Link to the organization of state lawmakers and support staff