Iowa House of Representatives offers student page program

State Rep. Curt Hanson of Fairfield encourages area high school students to learn more about the legislative process by applying to serve as a page in the Iowa House of Representatives for the 2013 Legislative Session.

?Serving as a page in the Iowa House of Representatives gives students the opportunity to participate in the legislative process,? said Hanson. ?I know many who served as pages found it be a rewarding experience and some of my colleagues in the Iowa house actually served as a page when they were students.?

Pages provide assistance to representatives and house staff by running errands, delivering messages, and distributing bills and amendments.

Pages also ?staff? committee meetings and help chairpersons by handing out materials during the meetings.

Some pages will be assigned to work with the house journal, legal counsel and caucus staffs.

The Iowa house chief clerk?s office will accept applications Sept. 15 to Oct. 5. Interviews will be conducted the week of Oct. 15 with final selection announced by Nov. 1. Applications are accepted for the senate, house, or legislative services agency.

Uniforms are provided. Living arrangements are unsupervised and must be found on your own. Transportation is on your own.

This is a paid position. Some excused absences may be permitted.

Students are expected to be able to handle any school responsibilities while working.

The 2013 legislative session is 110 days, starting Jan, 14 and ending around May 3, 2013.

Guidelines to the program:

? Applicants must be a high school junior or senior as of September, and 17 or 18 years old.

? Work hours are 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Mondays; 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; and normally no work on Fridays.

? Some nights will be later when the legislature adjourns after 4:45 p.m.