The Pennsylvania State Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. Senators are elected for four-year terms, staggered every two years, such that half of the seats are contested at each election. Even- and odd-numbered district seats are contested in separate election years. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg and has been meeting since 1791.
The president of the Senate is the lieutenant governor, who has no vote except to break a tie. The president pro tempore becomes the lieutenant governor in the event of the sitting lieutenant governor's removal, resignation or death. In this case the president pro tempore and lieutenant governor would be the same person.
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Qualifications
Senators must be at least 25 years of age. They must be United States citizens, Pennsylvania residents for at least four years, and residents of their district for one year prior to their election. They must also reside in their district during their term.
Composition
Current session
As of May 5, 2025:
Membership
The State Senate comprises 50 senators who are elected by district. In 2012, a State Senate district had an average population of 254,047 residents.
Committees
Current committees, majority chairs, minority chairs, and vice chairs include: