The Speaker/President shall possess the following powers and perform these duties:

1. Preside over her/his respective legislative chamber, following the order of business, enforcing procedures, and preserving order and decorum.
2. Vote on all issues.
3. Participate in debate when her/his chamber is turned over to another member (usually the Pro Tem).
4. Decide all questions of order, subject to appeal to the chambers;
5. Have general direction over the chambers;
6. Name any member to perform the duties of Speaker/President, but only until adjournment of the meeting for which that person is so appointed;
7. Have general control and direction over the journals, bills, and papers of the chambers;
8. Operate as "floor leader" during Committee of the Whole unless there is a majority leader to perform that function;
9. Authenticate by his/her signature, when necessary, all bills, resolutions, orders and proceedings of the chambers;
10. Be an ex-officio member of all committees but without the right to vote. His/her presence shall not be considered in establishing a quorum in such committee meetings;
11. Be a member of the Joint Committee on Rules with full voting rights;
12. Directs and assists the Sgt. at Arms as needed in performance of official duties.
13. When the Body goes to Committee of the Whole, the presiding officer generally steps down and the Pro-Tem takes over. When reverting to the Body, the Pro-Tem relinquishes the chair to the presiding officer.

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Speaker and President Pro-Tem

The Speaker/President Pro Tem shall have the powers and perform the duties of the Speaker/President in his/her absence. S/He may preside over the chamber at the discretion of the Speaker/President.

1. When the Body goes to Committee of the Whole, the presiding officer generally steps down and the Pro-Tem takes over. When reverting to the Body, the Pro-Tem relinquishes the chair to the presiding officer.
2. The President Pro-Tem shall serve as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Rules;
3. The Speaker/President Pro Tem will usually chair the Committee of the Whole, especially if the Speaker/President wishes to participate in the debate, unless he/she also requests to be a participant in the debate. In that instance, whoever is presiding shall appoint another member of the chamber to chair the Committee of the Whole;
4. When not presiding, the Speaker/President Pro Tem has full floor privileges and functions in close cooperation with the Speaker/President from the floor.
5. Votes on all issues.