Frequently Asked Questions about Presiding Over the State Senate

Frequently Asked Questions about Presiding Over the State Senate By Chris Micheli

            Is there only one person who presides over the California State Senate floor sessions? No, just like in the California State Assembly where several Assembly Members actually preside over the Floor Sessions, different senators preside over the State Senate during its Floor Sessions.

Who is the presiding officer on the Assembly Floor? The presiding officer (aside from the Speaker) is primarily either the Speaker pro Tempore or the Assistant Speaker pro Tempore.

Who is the presiding officer on the Senate Floor? Senate Rule 7 specifies that: “The President pro Tempore shall take the Chair and call the Senate to order at the hour of the meetings of the Senate. The President pro Tempore is the Presiding Officer of the Senate.”

Is any other state senator deemed the presiding officer? Yes, SR 7 also provides: “The Vice Chair of the Committee on Rules shall, in the absence of the President pro Tempore, perform the duties, and have all powers and authority, of the President pro Tempore.” Hence, when the Senate leader is not presiding, the Vice Chair of the Rules Committee is next in line.

Can the Senate leader choose other state senators to be the presiding officer? Yes, Senate Rule 8 is titled “Presiding by Senators.” SR 8 provides that the President pro Tempore of the Senate may name a Senator to perform the duties of the Chair in the absence of the President pro Tempore.

What authority does the presiding officer have on the Senate Floor? According to SR 8, “the Senator so named is vested, during their time on the floor, with all the powers of the President pro Tempore, and the Senator who performs these duties is known as the Presiding Officer. In the absence of the President pro Tempore or the Vice Chair of the Committee on Rules, any Senator may perform the duties of the Chair.”

            How is the Senate’s presiding officer addressed? The senator who has been designated as the presiding officer to perform those Floor duties is addressed as either “Mr. President” or “Madam President.”

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