Rules of Procedure of the Government (GeschO) - Government and Departments (GeschO)

1. The government assigns the departments to the members

a) before the commencement of the term of office;

b) after a replacement election.

2. For important reasons, it may reassign the departments if a member requests it.

1. The members and the State Secretary inform the government, in particular, about

a)* the status of preparation for important Cantonal Council and government matters;

b)* significant departmental affairs;

c)* important conferences, events, and media appearances;

d)* significant issues related to organizations with cantonal participation.

2. No resolutions are made on the information provided.

3. The State Chancellery documents the information in writing and retains it for ten years.

1. Members disclose any conflicts of interest that may pertain to their office before taking office. They communicate any changes.

2. They disclose specific conflicts of interest when they comment on a matter that directly affects their interests or those of third parties with whom they have a significant personal or legal relationship. Recusal remains reserved.

1. The President

a) directs governmental activities;

b) represents the government, unless such representation has been delegated to another member or a third party in a specific instance.

2. He ensures a goal-oriented collaboration within the college.

1. The government plans its activities and sets priorities.

2. The President ensures a balanced distribution of business matters at the meetings.

3. Departments and the State Chancellery ensure that

a) Fundamental questions of important matters are decided by the government at an early stage;

b) The discussion of important matters takes place at a meeting scheduled before the meeting at which these matters must be finally addressed.

1. The government generally holds a meeting weekly.

2. It periodically sets the regular meeting dates.

3. An extraordinary meeting shall be convened if

a) the president calls for it;

b) at least two members request it.

1. The government meeting takes precedence over other obligations. Exceptions are decided by the President.

2. The government meets in the presence of the members and the State Secretary.

3. If a member cannot attend a meeting, they must inform the State Chancellery as soon as possible.

1. Departments and the State Chancellery prepare the matters within their area of responsibility for the government.

2. The responsible department involves relevant departments and the State Chancellery, and the State Chancellery involves relevant departments in the preparation. The responsible department submits draft decrees to the State Chancellery in a timely manner for preliminary review.

3. The matters are submitted to the government as a preliminary protocol, with attachments if necessary. They include a proposal.

1. Departments and the State Chancellery distribute the agenda for the meeting in such a manner that government members have at least two working days available for study before the meeting.

2. Reserved is the later distribution of urgent business that cannot be postponed until the next meeting.

1. The State Chancellery prepares the agenda after the deadline for the distribution of business has passed and promptly transmits it to the departments.

2. The agenda serves as an invitation for the government members to the meeting.

1. Postponement of Business Deliberation

a) if the member responsible for the business requests it;

b) if a member who cannot attend the meeting requests it and the business can be postponed.

1. The government generally conducts business as follows

a) Business of the Cantonal Council;

b) General government business;

c) Departmental government business.

2. The president ensures an appropriate rotation in the order of the departments and the state chancellery.

3. Business is considered decided if no discussion is requested.

1. The government may, by way of exception, consult a specialist for advice.

2. It determines the participation of the specialist.

1. The government is quorate when at least four members and the Secretary of State are present.

1. Members are obligated to vote.

2. They cast their votes openly.

3. The absolute majority of the present members decides.

4. In the event of a tie, the motion for which the president voted is considered adopted.

1. If a matter cannot be postponed until the next meeting and an extraordinary meeting is not justified, the government may decide by written consent.

2. A decision by written consent requires the approval of all reachable members, but at least four members. If at least two members dispute the urgency, the decision by written consent is voided.

3. The State Secretary determines the formation of the decision by written consent and informs the government at the following meeting.

1. Each member participates in the decisions of the government.

2. The reservation remains reserved.

1. A member may declare a reservation against a decision of the government if they cannot support it due to significant reasons.

2. The reservation must be announced by the end of the session and declared at the latest within seven days. In the case of a circulation procedure, it is declared on the circulation form.

3. It is recorded in the minutes.

1. The member who has declared a reservation may publicly express their opinion, provided that the resolution is published. However, the reservation does not entitle the member to publicly contest the resolution.

2. The member informs the government about the intended public disclosure.

1. The minutes of a meeting consist of the revised draft minutes.

2. Statements made by individual members or a minority of the government are not recorded in the minutes.

1. The State Chancellery shall prepare written records of the government's decision-making. These records serve particularly for the drafting of resolutions that correspond with the discussions.

2. The records shall be retained for a period of ten years.

1. The State Chancellery records the protocol entry and prepares protocol extracts.

2. Resolutions are generally communicated through protocol extracts. When dealing with authorities outside the canton and with private individuals, correspondence in letter form can be chosen.

3. ...

1. President and State Secretary sign

a) Orders and decisions that are communicated to the parties involved in the proceedings;

b) Government correspondence.

2. The official seal of the State Chancellery replaces the signature on

1. Orders and decisions communicated to individuals other than the parties involved in the proceedings;

2. Orders issued in large quantities.

3. Additionally, protocol entries and extracts bear the official seal of the State Chancellery.

1. The State Chancellery provides minutes extracts and correspondence of the government.

2. The government may, in specific cases, delegate the delivery to another department.

1. Departments and the State Chancellery execute decisions within their area of responsibility; the leading department or the State Chancellery executes decisions with overarching responsibility.

2. The government may regulate execution differently.

1. The State Chancellery registers the protocol entries and compiles a collection.

2. Departments and the State Chancellery file the preliminary records along with the corresponding protocol excerpt.

1. The State Chancellery assigns submissions addressed to the government to the departments or to itself.

2. If the jurisdiction is unclear or disputed, the government shall decide.

3. The State Chancellery maintains an intake and referral control.

1. The government may refer a matter to the Conference of Secretaries-General for preliminary discussion.

1. A member may publicly take a position on a federal voting proposal if

a) the position corresponds to the voting recommendation or the internal stance of the government;

b) the government has not decided on a voting recommendation or internal stance;

c) the government has decided on a voting recommendation or internal stance and approves a differing position.

2. The government may publicly take a position on a federal voting proposal or establish an internal stance if

a) the canton is particularly affected, or

b) the government considers a unified external position of strategic importance for the canton to be a priority.

1. A member may participate in an initiative or referendum committee on federal matters if they inform the government in advance and the government does not object to their participation.

1. The Government Issues Directives Particularly Regarding

a) Inclusion and Involvement of the Departments and the State Chancellery in the Context of Preparing Matters for the Government;

b) The Preparation of Documents Distributed for a Meeting;

c) The Deliberation of Matters.

1. These Rules of Procedure shall apply as of July 1, 1997.