Pennsylvania SR 6: A Resolution adopting Financial Operating Rules of the Senate.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 6
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 6
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MUTH, JANUARY 7, 2025
INTRODUCED, JANUARY 7, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Adopting the Rules of the Senate for the 209th and 210th Regular
Session.
RESOLVED, That the following be adopted as the Rules of the
Senate for the governing of the 209th and 210th Regular Session.
2025-2026
RULES OF THE SENATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
Rule 1. Sessions.
(a) Regular and special.--The General Assembly shall be a
continuing body during the term for which its Representatives
are elected. It shall meet at twelve o'clock noon on the first
Tuesday of January each year. Special sessions shall be called
by the Governor on petition of a majority of the Members elected
to each House or may be called by the Governor whenever in his
opinion the public interest requires. (Const. Art. II, Sec. 4)
(b) Weekly.--The Senate shall convene its weekly sessions on
Monday, unless the Senate shall otherwise direct.
Rule 2. President.
The Lieutenant Governor shall be President of the Senate.
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(Const. Art. IV, Sec. 4)
Rule 3. Duties of the President.
The President shall:
(1) Take the chair on every legislative day at the hour
to which the Senate stands recessed, immediately call the
Senators to order, and proceed with the Order of Business of
the Senate.
(2) While in session have general direction of the
Senate Chamber. It shall be the President's duty to preserve
order and decorum, including ensuring all members and staff
with privilege of the floor are properly attired pursuant to
Senate Rule 10, and, in case of disturbance or disorderly
conduct in the Chamber or galleries, may cause the same to be
cleared. When in the President's opinion there arises a case
of extreme disturbance or emergency the President shall, with
the concurrence of the President Pro Tempore, the Majority
Leader and the Minority Leader, recess the Senate. Such
recess shall not extend beyond the limitation imposed by
Article II, section 14 of the Constitution.
(3) During debate, prevent personal references or
questions as to motive, and confine Senators, in debate, to
the question.
(4) Decide, when two or more Senators arise, who shall
be first to speak.
(5) In the presence of the Senate, within one
legislative day after receipt or adoption, sign all bills and
joint resolutions which have passed both Houses after their
titles have been read.
(6) Sign resolutions, orders, writs, warrants and
subpoenas issued by order of the Senate. The signature shall
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be attested by the Secretary-Parliamentarian of the Senate,
or, if absent, by the Chief Clerk of the Senate; and the fact
of signing shall be entered in the Journal on the next
available session day.
(7) Decide all points of order, subject to appeal,
giving, however, any Member called to order the right to
extenuate or justify. Debate shall not be permitted unless
there be an appeal from a decision of the President in which
event the President shall submit the question to the whole
Senate for decision. The President shall submit points of
order involving the constitutionality of any matter to the
Senate for decision. Questions of order submitted to the
Senate may be debated.
Rule 4. President Pro Tempore.
(a) Election.--The Senate shall, at the beginning and close
of each regular session and at such other times as may be
necessary, elect one of its Members President Pro Tempore, who
shall perform the duties of the Lieutenant Governor in any case
of absence or disability of that officer, and whenever the
office of Lieutenant Governor shall be vacant. (Const. Art. II,
Sec. 9)
(b) Voting.--The vote of a majority of the Members voting
shall be required to elect a President Pro Tempore. Except at
the beginning and close of each regular session, the Senate
shall only elect a President Pro Tempore when the office has
become vacant and the vote of the majority of the Members
elected shall be required to vacate the office of a seated
President Pro Tempore.
Rule 5. Duties of President Pro Tempore.
(a) Mandatory.--The President Pro Tempore shall:
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(1) Appoint the Chair, Vice Chair and members of the
Standing Committees of the Senate as soon after the election
of the President Pro Tempore as possible. Upon the
resignation of the Chair of a standing committee, the
President Pro Tempore may designate an acting Chair.
(2) Appoint members to special committees whenever
authorized.
(3) Fill all vacancies occurring in standing and special
committees.
(4) Refer to the appropriate standing committee every
bill and joint resolution which may be introduced in the
Senate or received from the House of Representatives.
(5) Appoint and have under the President Pro Tempore's
direction such Senate employees as are a