The Office of the Chief Clerk

Kansas House of Representatives

Susan W. Kannarr, Chief Clerk

The Speaker of the House appoints the Chief Clerk who serves under the Speaker's direction, control and supervision. Although primarily responsible to the Speaker, the Chief Clerk supports the work of the entire chamber and serves in a non-partisan capacity.

The Chief Clerk is responsible for day to day operations of the House. Primary responsibilities include: preparing daily House Calendars and Journals; facilitating chamber business; printing and processing bills and resolutions; operating the chamber voting system; maintaining member voting records; tracking and reporting the status of all bills and resolutions in the House; preparing messages from the House to the Senate; coordinating the work of the House Chaplain and producing certificates of recognition on behalf of members. In addition, the Chief Clerk is responsible for maintaining committee and chamber membership; publishing the permanent House Journal; and training all newly elected members.

About the Chief Clerk

Susan was appointed Chief Clerk in December 2008 after serving as the Deputy Chief Clerk since September 2007. In addition to her responsibilities in Kansas, Susan is an active member of the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries. Prior to her work in the Chief Clerk’s office, Susan worked in the Legislative Research Department for a total of eight years as a Fiscal Analyst (1994-1998) and then a Senior Fiscal Analyst (2003-2007). Susan spent two years working for the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services directing the implementation of HealthWave, the Kansas State Children’s Health Insurance Program, from 1998 to 2000. Between 2000 and 2003, she worked as a Policy Analyst for the Kansas Health Institute where she developed a series of policy forums and published issue briefs on health topics. Susan graduated with a B.A. from the University of Kansas and earned her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law.