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Secretary of the Senate

Oregon State Legislature

 Technology in the Senate Chamber
​The Oregon Senate uses technology to serve the needs of a modern legislature.  Whenever possible, this new technology is developed to fit in well with the Chamber's historic features.

 Request to Speak System
​The Oregon Senate uses an electronic request-to-speak system.  Each member's Senate floor desk includes a button and two lights next to their microphone.  A member wishing to speak pushes the button, a light turns red at their desk, and a signal is sent to the monitors used by the Senate President at the Rostrum and the Reading Clerk at the Senate Desk.  When the President then recognizes the member to speak, the Reading Clerk activates the member's microphone.  A light at the member's desk then turns green to alert the member that the microphone is on.  The buttons, lights, and monitors are all installed in a way to minimize the impact to the historic Senate floor desks.

 Vote Display Boards in the Senate Chamber
​Ever since statehood, the Oregon Senate has used oral roll call voting, meaning each member answers aloud to cast their vote on a bill.  Historically, the clerks at the desk would record these votes and announce the result at the end.  Today, the Oregon Senate uses display boards in the Chamber to show how each member is voting as the votes are cast.  When a member votes "Aye" their name turns green on the board.  When a member votes "Nay" their name turns red.  The display boards are placed discreetly below the Senate Gallery and are enclosed in walnut cases to match the remainder of the Senate Chamber. 
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 Capitol AIDE
​Capitol AIDE ("Automated Interactive Digital Entryway") is an interactive electronic display used to automatically post committee agendas during the legislative session.  Capitol AIDE promotes transparency and reliability in the agenda posting process by displaying meeting notices near-instantaneously in an accessible and searchable format.  During the interim period, Capitol AIDE is used to provide information to visitors about the Capitol's history.  The electronic display is housed in a cabinet designed to match the historic woodwork of the Senate Chamber.