Duties of the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania

President of the State Senate
Under the Pennsylvania Constitution, the Lieutenant Governor presides over the State Senate, directing the day to day activities of the Senate’s session.  He or she may vote in case of a tie on any question except the final passage of a bill or joint resolution, the adoption of a conference report or the concurrence in amendments made by the House of Representatives. For more information, please go to President of the State Senate.

Board of Pardons
The Pennsylvania Constitution also designates the Lieutenant Governor as the Chair of the Board of Pardons.  The present Board consists of five members: the Lieutenant Governor; the Attorney General; and three members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.  These three appointees must include a crime victim advocate, a corrections expert, and a doctor of medicine, psychiatrist, or psychologist.   For more information, please go to Board of Pardons

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council
The Lieutenant serves as the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council, which establishes policy and direction for the statewide emergency management program.  For more information, please go to (PEMA)

Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission
Governor Corbett appointed Lieutenant Governor Cawley to chair the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission.  This Advisory Commission was formed to develop a responsible and strategic plan for the Marcellus Shale Natural Gas reserve within the Commonwealth.  For more information, please go to Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission

Pennsylvania Local Government Advisory Committee
Lieutenant Governor is the Chairperson of the Local Government Advisory Committee.  This committee is an advisory and oversight committee that studies the impact of legislation on local governments.

Acting Governor
Should the Governor be unable to perform his or her duties, then the Lieutenant Governor becomes Acting Governor.