President of the Senate

As President of the State Senate, the Lieutenant Governor presides over the parliamentary procedure as legislation is being debated. If there is a dispute on the floor or if there is a question on procedure or even the legality of a motion, the Lieutenant Governor, in association with Senate Counsel, will be called upon to make a ruling on the matter.

The Lieutenant Governor also presides over joint sessions of the state Senate and House of Representatives, such as the Governor’s annual State of the State Address, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court’s State of the Judiciary address and many others.

In this position as President of the Senate, the Lieutenant Governor is also chair of the Senate Committee on Rules, the 17-member committee that determines which legislation advances to the floor of the Senate for debate. The Lieutenant Governor is a voting member of this committee.