Senate elects Sen. Lyons as temporary pro tem to preside over joint assembly

The State Senate elected Senator Lyons of Chittenden County as temporary president pro tempore this morning so the chamber would have a presiding officer for a joint assembly with the House.

Presiding officers explained that the lieutenant governor, who normally presides over the Senate, could not serve in that role for the joint assembly because he was serving as acting governor after the governor left the state at 5 a.m. Under the Senates rules, the president pro tempore is required to preside in the lieutenant governors absence; when a pro tem is not available the Senate elects a temporary pro tem to preside.

The nomination was offered by the senator from Washington and seconded by the senator from Franklin. The Senate approved the nomination by voice vote. After the vote, Lyons thanked colleagues, saying, "Alright. Thank you all for your confidence. I will try to be a good acting pro tem." The presiding officer then announced the Senate would proceed to the House for the joint assembly.

Senators discussed procedural options before the nomination, including a fallback that would have required convening before the House if any senator objected to electing a temporary pro tem in the Senate chamber. The presiding officer said that if any senator objected the body could not elect a temporary pro tem in the Senate at that time and would instead meet at the House to elect one in front of House members.

No formal roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript; the approval was taken by voice and recorded as "ayes." The Senate also noted it had adjourned until the following day but moved forward with the limited business necessary to provide a presiding officer for the scheduled joint assembly.

The action ensures the Senate will have an authorized presiding officer to conduct the joint assembly scheduled to begin shortly after the election.