Ordinance concerning the Reimbursement of Expenses and the Acceptance of Gifts - Principles

1. Each government member and the director of the chancery are entitled to reimbursement of expenses directly related to their official duties.

2. Personal gifts may only be accepted if they are customary in the specific situation and do not exceed a certain value. In case of doubt, the government must be consulted.

**1. Eligible Professional Expenses for Reimbursement are Considered to Include in Particular:**

a) Travel expenses;

b) Meal expenses;

c) Accommodation expenses;

d) Costs for telecommunication equipment and their operation;

e) Continuing education costs;

f) Costs for invitations and gifts to third parties in the interest of the Canton.

**2. Gifts are Considered Customary When They Express a General Appreciation on Behalf of the Canton or its Representative and When They Are Not Associated with a Specific Official Act.** The value limit for a gift is 200 Swiss Francs.

1. Expenses, subject to the flat rate expenses according to Article 3a, shall generally be settled using a credit card issued in the name of the canton (Corporate Card).

2. The Director of the Chancellery shall thereby cover the expenses of the entire government as well as the expenses of the State Chancellery, which are charged to the government's expense allowance.

3. ...

1. Members of the government shall be granted an annual lump-sum compensation of 2400 Swiss Francs, and the Director of the Chancellery shall receive 1200 Swiss Francs for minor expenses.

2. The lump-sum compensation covers all minor expenses up to the amount of 50 Swiss Francs per event.

1. Government Members and the Chancellor's Director settle expenses directly with the Corporate Card, subject to the flat-rate expenses as per Article 3a.

2. The receipt for the incurred expenditure is forwarded to the Office of the State Chancellery along with a simple settlement form.

3. The Office of the State Chancellery checks the completeness of the settlement and the receipts as well as the conformity with the credit card company's statements. It prepares the necessary payment documents.

4. The Office of the State Chancellery resolves any ambiguities with the affected Government Member. Article 6 remains reserved.

1. As an expense reimbursement, an annual amount of 57,000 francs is budgeted in account 1100.3170 (Travel and Expense Allowances).

2. The State Chancellery prepares an annual report on the individual expense charges of the government members as well as the expenditures made by the director of the chancery, and submits this report to the government for their information.

1. Subject to the provisions regarding the financial budget, the government makes final decisions on all interpretation, evaluation, and accounting issues related to the expenses of individual members, the Chancellor's Director, and the entire government.

1. This regulation shall enter into force retroactively as of January 1, 2003.