Senate > Rules > Rule 17

      At a session designated in accordance with Article III, Section 37 of the South Carolina Constitution, the Senate shall elect from among the members thereof a President to preside over the Senate and to perform other duties as provided by law and these Rules. The President shall serve for the quadrennium concurring with the term of the Senators.

      In accordance with Article III, Section 18 of the South Carolina Constitution, the President must ratify all acts that are appropriately presented. The President may name a Senator to act as President in order to preside in a temporary capacity for a period not to exceed beyond adjournment of that legislative day and who, if the President is unable, may ratify acts on behalf of the Senate.

      The President may authorize or retain counsel to initiate, defend, intervene in, or otherwise participate in any suit on behalf of the Senate, a Senate committee, a Senator, or a Senate officer or employee.

      In accordance with Article III, Section 12 of the South Carolina Constitution, any reference to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in the Code of Laws shall be considered to mean the President of the Senate.

      The Clerk shall serve as Parliamentarian of the Senate to provide expert, nonpartisan advice and assistance to the President and other Senators on questions relating to the meaning and application of the Senate’s rules, precedents, and practices. The Clerk may appoint an Assistant Parliamentarian as required upon approval of the Operations and Management Committee.

Last Updated: 1/23/2019 8:58 AM