The Speaker of the House serves as the presiding officer of the 75-member House of Representatives, elected to a two-year term by a vote of the entire body as established by the Rhode Island Constitution. The Speaker oversees the proceedings of the House and ensures that the Chamber is run according to the rules adopted by the House members. The Speaker takes the rostrum each legislative day, and calls the House to order. The Speaker decides on all questions of order subject to the appeal of the House, recognizes all speakers and declares all votes. As an elected representative, the Speaker may vote on all questions.

The Speaker appoints all standing committees and creates other committees as necessary. He or she also serves as an ex-officio member of all standing committees and is eligible to participate in the discussions and votes held by any of those committees. The Speaker, in conjunction with the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader, establishes the daily consent calendar of bills and resolutions. By virtue of the Rhode Island Constitution, the Speaker serves as Governor in the absence of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

The House Majority Leader is elected by the members of the majority party in a caucus. The Leader establishes an office that provides support for all caucuses and conferences of the majority party and assists in establishing all consent and regular calendars of the House.

Additionally, the Office of the House Majority Leader handles constituent issues for members of the Majority Party, provides legal analysis on all of the bills or resolutions introduced in the House, assists in the development and implementation of House policy issues, is responsible for legislative tracking in committees and on the floor of the House, and provides legal research to the members of the majority party.

The House Minority Leader is elected in caucus by the minority party. The Minority Leader provides direction to the caucus and confers with members on legislative matters.

The Minority Leader and caucus have an office and support staff, which handles constituent relations, legislative tracking, policy development, research and general clerical work. The Minority Leader also nominates minority members to legislative committees and commissions.