Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania


The secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the head of the Pennsylvania Department of State, a cabinet-level agency. The secretary of the commonwealth is appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the State Senate. The current secretary is Republican Al Schmidt, who was appointed by governor Josh Shapiro.

Responsibilities

The Pennsylvania Department of State protects the public's health, safety, and welfare by licensing more than one million business, health, and real estate professionals; maintaining registration and financial information for thousands of charities soliciting contributions from Pennsylvanians; overseeing Pennsylvania's electoral process; maintaining corporate filings; and sanctioning professional boxing, kick–boxing and wrestling in the commonwealth.
The secretary is the keeper of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth and authenticates government documents through the seal's use. The secretary is also the commonwealth's chief election official.

Structure of the Department of State

The Pennsylvania Department of State consists of six bureaus:

Boards and commissions

  • Chairman of the Pennsylvania Election Reform Task Force
  • Chairman of the Navigation Commission for the Delaware River and Its Navigable Tributaries
  • The Board of Finance and Revenue
  • The Board of Property
  • The Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Board
  • The State Athletic Commission
  • The Interbranch Commission for Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness
  • The Lobbying Disclosure Regulations Committee