Senate Passes Succession Process Legislation

Senate Bill 822 addresses procedural, constitutional concerns

The Senate today approved Senate Bill 822, a bill cosponsored by Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) that would amend the state Constitution to change the succession process for Lieutenant Governor upon a vacancy in that position.

The legislation is intended to address questions that arose during the Ridge Administration when Lt. Gov. Schweiker filled the position of Governor and then-President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer served as Lieutenant Governor while remaining the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

"There were a number of procedural and constitutional questions that arose when Bob Jubelirer served as both a senator and as Lieutenant Governor," Senator Robbins said. "This legislation provides a clear procedure for succession in the future."

SB 822 does the following:

In the case of death, conviction on impeachment, failure to qualify or resignation of the Lieutenant Governor, the Governor shall appoint a new Lieutenant Governor who would take office upon confirmation of a majority vote of the Senate who would serve out the remainder of the term. Should the Governor appoint any member of the Senate or House of Representatives to serve as Lieutenant Governor, that official's seat would be considered vacant and filled by election.
If, by reason of death, resignation, removal from office, inability or failure to qualify, there is neither a Governor nor Lieutenant Governor to act as Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate would become Governor for the remainder of the term. The President Pro Tempore's seat as Senator would become vacant and filled by election.
In the case of the disability of the Lieutenant Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate would serve as Lt. Governor until the disability is removed. The President Pro Tempore would not have to vacate his seat.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322