Terms of Reference for the Standing Committees of the Cantonal Council of Solothurn

1. The subject commissions have the following tasks in particular (cf. KV Art. 72 para. 2, KRG § 16 para. 1 and GR § 30)

a) Preliminary examination of matters falling within their subject area (cf. Annex) or assigned to them by the council leadership [2];

b) Regular monitoring of social and political developments in their subject areas both within and outside the canton;

c) Development of suggestions and proposals for problem-solving in their subject areas;

d) Participation in the preparation of important state treaties and concordats in their subject areas, which are subject to the approval of the cantonal council.

1. In election matters, the commission evaluates the candidates and submits election proposals to the council.

2. If the commission considers the result of a call for applications to be insufficient, it may request the position to be re-advertised or propose to the council the appointment by way of appeal (see GR § 65 paragraphs 2 and 3).

1. If a committee considers itself not competent to handle a particular matter, it shall report accordingly to the council leadership and submit a reasoned request for assignment to another committee.

1. The subject committees may

a) request supplementary reports and documentation;

b) question administrative officers of the relevant department about the matter, in agreement with the competent departmental head;

c) conduct inspections;

d) engage external experts, in agreement with the council leadership.

1. Anyone who becomes aware of statements or acts that are subject to official secrecy is themselves bound by official secrecy (see KRG § 34).

1. The release from official secrecy is governed by KRG § 32.

1. The respective committees constitute themselves (see GR § 21 para. 2).

1. The Presidents of the standing committees, in consultation with the heads of the respective departments and the Council Secretariat, shall prepare a meeting schedule for at least six months.

1. The provisions of §§ 41 and 43 et seq. of the Rules of Procedure apply mutatis mutandis to commission negotiations (see RoP § 23).

2. KRG § 27 applies to the duty to recuse.

1. Representation is only permissible if a commission member is unable to attend commission meetings for an extended period of time (see GR § 20).

1. If a committee intends to meet without the head of the relevant department, it shall inform him in a timely manner.

1. The specialized committees generally meet in private; however, council members who are not part of the committee may attend the meetings of specialized committees as listeners (see KRG § 17).

2. If a specialized committee wishes to meet without such listeners to safeguard protectable interests, it usually notes this on the invitation.

1. The specialist committees may form subcommittees (see GR § 23 para. 3).

1. When necessary, the specialized committees may invite the parliamentary groups to provide their opinions before or during the committee negotiations.

1. The minutes of all commissions shall be delivered to the presidents of the Oversight Commissions (GPK, FIKO, JUKO) and the Editorial Commission. Minutes pertaining to commission negotiations that are subject to official secrecy are exempt from this provision (see GR § 27 para. 3).

1. Proposals or transactions with financial implications shall be submitted to the Financial Commission (FIKO) along with the protocol and the requests of the commission and, where necessary, with an explanatory report (see General Regulation § 31).

1. Constitutional, legislative, and regulatory draft proposals are to be referred to the Editorial Committee before being addressed in the council (see GR § 32).

1. The subject-matter committees shall report to the council in writing or verbally and submit motions.

2. The written reports and the motions must be delivered to the council members and the executive council at least ten days before the session (see GR § 25).

1. The President of the Commission or the spokesperson designated by the Commission may, if necessary, orally supplement the written reports during the Council debate (cf. GR § 25).

1. The specialized committees may propose to the council (see GR § 43 ff.).

a) not to consider the matter;

b) to consider the matter but reject the proposal;

c) to consider the matter and accept the proposal without changes;

d) to consider the matter and accept the proposal with specific amendments.

1. The substantive committees may submit parliamentary initiatives (cf. GR § 79 para. 1).

1. The subject commissions inform the public about the essential results of the consultations (see KRG § 18).

2. The commission president is responsible for the preparation of press releases and the organization of press conferences.

1. Press releases shall be delivered to the media through the Council Secretariat.

2. The Council Secretariat may consolidate the communications of several commissions.

1. If a press conference is organized, the government must be informed.

1. The mandates of the Education and Culture Commission, the Health and Environmental Protection Commission, the Construction Commission, the Internal Affairs Commission, and the Editorial Commission dated October 26, 1977, are hereby repealed.

1. This Specification Document shall come into effect on January 1, 1992.