Keeping order in the Legislature

Terry Sullivan has been Assembly sergeant at arms for seven sessions. Sam Palazzolo is in his first session as Senate sergeant at arms and was deputy in that office for six sessions. They and their staffs provide service to lawmakers and help keep order during floor sessions.

What do the sergeants at arms in the Senate and Assembly do?

Sullivan: We do everything for the Assembly members to help them do their jobs. We handle their mail, travel claims and payroll checks. But our main job is to help keep order on the floor. We control access to the floor at the direction of the speaker. Sometimes we stop suspicious mail for them. And we run errands, but we don't do any clerical work for them. They have to be able to rely on us to get things done for them when they're on the floor.

Palazzolo: We make sure they have all necessary documents on their desk so they can proceed with the agenda - including handling amendments for them. Those are confidential even from other senators until they're presented. We enforce the standing rules governing operation of the body and help keep order. We're also sworn to keep confidential anything we hear between two Senators.

Do you have police powers to enforce conduct, including the power to bring members of either house to the Senate/Assembly for official business?

Palazzolo: Any person who interferes with the legislative process in either house may be summarily taken into custody until a complaint is filed or they are arrested or cited by a peace officer. The legislative police handle that if necessary. The law says we have the power to "take into custody all who may be absent without leave." That means if the majority leader orders it, we have the power to bring senators into the chamber. It's in the statute that for every one we bring in, we get a dollar.

Sullivan: We actually do have the power to arrest and hold someone until the police take them. I've never had to do that. We have the authority to go anywhere, even out of state, to bring them back to the Assembly, but the farthest I ever had to go was across the street.

Are residents allowed on the floor of the Senate or Assembly?

Sullivan: The galleries are always open during session. I like the openness of it. But there are exceptions. The press has the most access to the floor, but Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins says lobbyists no longer have access to the floor. People can't just walk on the floor during session, but there are always guests with many of the legislators. We have a lot of visitors. We're called the "people's house" and we allow more access to the floor than the Senate.

Palazzolo: Nevada's is a very open Legislature and we want people to visit, but access to the floor is controlled much more stringently than the Assembly. To come on the floor of the Senate you have to be invited by a senator. And we don't allow people on during a one-minute recess like the Assembly.

What are the most common violations by people visiting the Legislature?

Palazzolo: They're usually minor things. A ringing cell phone is the most common now. You're supposed to turn them off or silent when you're in the chamber. And you can't bring food or beverages into the chamber. Talking loud is a problem occasionally, but even that's a rarity. People are usually pretty respectful when they come here.

Sullivan: Cell phones are a problem or they get to talking too loud. And sometimes they don't know you can't wear anything that advertises a cause on the floor, like a protest button. I want people to feel they can come and visit the Legislature. That's why we conduct so many tours for people and school kids. It's important for them to know what goes on in the Legislature.