1. HOUR OF MEETING - PRESIDING OFFICER


(a) Unless otherwise ordered, the regular hour of meeting of the Senate shall be 10 o'clock a.m. on Mondays, and 9 o'clock a.m. on other days. The hour of adjournment shall be as ordered.

(b) The President of the Senate, or in the President's absence the President pro tempore, shall take the chair every day promptly at the hour to which the Senate stands adjourned, shall call the Senate to order, shall ascertain a quorum, shall lead or designate another Senator to lead the members in a recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and shall then proceed to business.

(c) If at the hour for the convening of the Senate, the President and the President pro tempore shall be absent, the senior Senator present shall call the Senate to order and shall continue to preside, with all the powers, privileges, and duties of the President, until the President or President pro tempore shall appear.