The Chief Clerk of the California State Assembly is one of three officers elected by members of the Assembly at the beginning of each two-year session. These officers are not members of the legislature and their roles are nonpartisan. E. Dotson Wilson was first elected in January of 1992. Now he’s getting ready to retire.

Dotson has been unanimously reelected by the membership of the Assembly for each two year session since 1992. He also serves as the Parliamentarian of this branch of the state legislature.

Dotson grew up in Albany, California and attended UCLA on a track scholarship. He majored in political science and has a law degree from the UC Hastings College of Law. Before becoming Chief Clerk, Dotson was an Assembly Fellow with former Assembly Member, Majority Leader and Assembly Speaker Willie Brown and, following his fellowship, Dotson went to work for Brown. 

The Chief Clerk’s office is responsible for publishing the Assembly’s official documents. The office also keeps all bills, papers and records of the proceedings of the California House. Dotson has a unique perspective on the office he’s held for 27 years.