**Organization of the Cantonal Council - Office of the Cantonal Council**

1. The Office of the Cantonal Council consists of 7 members and encompasses the following functions: President (Presidency), 1st and 2nd Vice President (Vice Presidency), two Vote Counters, and two Substitute Vote Counters. When appointing the Office of the Cantonal Council, the parliamentary groups must be considered proportionally to their number of members. The Secretary participates in the meetings in an advisory capacity.

2. The Presidency and the two Vice Presidents (Vice Presidency) form the Executive Committee.

3. The Executive Committee may invite the President of the Government as well as the State Secretary to the meetings of the Council Office.

4. Additionally, the Executive Committee may involve the parliamentary group leaders with voting rights in the deliberations of the Office (President's Conference). Each parliamentary group leader also has the right to request a President’s Conference to be convened.

1. The President and Vice Presidents shall be elected by the Cantonal Council for a term of one year. They are not eligible for re-election to the same positions for the following year. Re-election is allowed as an exception if he or she has not served an entire year in that office.

2. The sequence of filling the presidencies generally follows a rotation that considers the average voter share of the factions in the last three cantonal council elections.

3. The vote counters and substitute vote counters are also elected for a one-year term. They are eligible for re-election.

1. The Office

a) * represents the Cantonal Council externally, provided the Executive Committee is unable to do so

b) determines the proportional representation of the factions in the committees and assigns the chairmanships of the committees to the factions

c) * prepares the election matters pertaining to the Cantonal Council within the framework of the Presidential Conference, subject to the tasks of the Election Preparation Committee in accordance with Art. 3 of the Judiciary Act

d) * discusses procedural questions and other matters concerning the Cantonal Council and, if necessary, submits a report and proposal

e) * has control over the general credit of the Cantonal Council

f) * handles pardon requests, as well as petitions and complaints, in accordance with § 79 and submits a report and proposal to the Cantonal Council

g) * completes other tasks assigned by the Cantonal Council Act, the rules of procedure, or delegated by the Council

1. The President ensures compliance with the rules of procedure and presides over the sessions of the Cantonal Council and its office as the Chairperson. The presidency conducts official business until the transition.

2. ...

1. The vice presidency assumes the duties of the presidency if the latter is unable to perform its official functions or wishes to participate in the deliberations.

1. The Executive Board of the Cantonal Council consists of the Presidium and Vice-Presidium. It

a) represents the Cantonal Council externally

b) submits motions to the Cantonal Council for the assignment of government council proposals to the commissions

c) sets the agenda for each session in consultation with the government council

d) discusses urgent procedural questions and other matters concerning the Cantonal Council, and can, if necessary, prepare reports and motions for the office

2. The Executive Board promptly informs the office and the factions about matters concerning them.

1. The vote counters establish the results during votes and elections.

1. The provisions applicable to the commissions apply correspondingly to the proceedings of the Council Bureau.

1. At least 5 council members may join together to form a faction.

2. The factions must submit their designation and the names of their presidencies to the Secretariat of the Cantonal Council and the State Chancellery in writing.

1. In the appointment of committees, the factions shall be taken into account according to their number of members.

2. An extraordinary complete renewal election of permanent committees for the remainder of the term of office shall take place if

a) a change in the number of members of a faction results in a faction no longer being represented in the committee according to the adjusted distribution key;

b) a new faction is formed or a faction is dissolved.

1. The Cantonal Council elects the following permanent supervisory commissions for the term of office

1. * the Audit Commission (9 members) for the examination and preliminary review of the administrative reports, the state accounts, and budgets, the business report of the Cantonal Bank, as well as other matters assigned to it by the Cantonal Council. The Executive Council must consult the Audit Commission before determining how to exercise membership rights in legally organized private entities in which the canton holds a majority interest. The Executive Council regularly, promptly, and comprehensively informs the Audit Commission about projects promoting regional and site development and provides it with information about the recipients, nature, scope, and usage of projects funded under the Economic Promotion Act. Information about the recipients and the purpose of use is confidential and must not be published.

2. * the Judicial Commission (5 members) for the examination and preliminary review of the annual report of the Higher Court and complaints about the Higher Court, the preliminary review of the Executive Council’s budget and the state accounts insofar as they concern the courts, subject to the jurisdiction of the Audit Commission, the preliminary review of the Higher Court’s applications to the Cantonal Council, the preparation of elections in the judiciary if no other body has the right to propose candidates, the preliminary review of the Ombudsperson's activity report, and the handling of further matters assigned to it by the Cantonal Council.

2. Additionally, the Cantonal Council elects the following other permanent commissions for the term of office

1. * the Health Commission (9 members) for the fulfillment of tasks according to Art. 11 paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Hospital Act of November 22, 2004, the preliminary review of the Executive Council’s budget and the state accounts, insofar as they concern hospital care, subject to the jurisdiction of the Audit Commission, as well as the preliminary review of planning reports according to Art. 4 of the Hospital Act and other matters in the field of health care assigned to it by the Cantonal Council.

2. * ...

2.1 * The Commission for Construction, Transport, and Energy (9 members) for the examination and preliminary review of proposals and matters in the fields of construction, transport, and energy.

3. * The Commission for Cross-Border Cooperation (7 members) for the examination and preliminary review of international and inter-cantonal agreements that fall within the jurisdiction of the Cantonal Council and for handling further matters of cross-border cooperation for which the Cantonal Council is responsible. It also appoints members from the three largest factions of the Canton of Schaffhausen to the Parliamentary Conference of Lake Constance. Before the Executive Council enters into significant international and inter-cantonal negotiations, it consults the Commission for Cross-Border Cooperation. It also informs them comprehensively and involves them regularly and early in important developments in cross-border relations.

3. A council member can belong to only one permanent supervisory commission or the Health Commission at the same time and for no more than eight consecutive years in the same permanent commission.

4. A faction cannot assume the presidency of a permanent commission for more than two consecutive years.

5. The representation of a commission member is governed by § 11 paragraph 3.

6. A commission member may, with the consent of the Cantonal Council, be represented by a temporary substitute for a period of 3 to a maximum of 9 months.

1. The Cantonal Council elects three members and two deputies as representatives of the Cantonal Council to the International Parliamentary Conference of Lake Constance (IPBK), taking into account the strengths of the parliamentary groups.

1. For the preliminary discussion of individual matters not assigned to one of the standing committees, the Cantonal Council elects special committees consisting of 7 to 11 members.

2. Before the first meeting of a special committee, committee members may be replaced in consultation with the presidency. The council is to be informed thereof.

3. A committee member may appoint a substitute for an individual meeting in a special committee. Their faction determines a substitute and promptly reports this to the secretariat of the Cantonal Council.

4. After the commencement of committee activities, committee members may be replaced with the consent of the Cantonal Council.

1. If a commission of the Cantonal Council is not elected by secret ballot, the first elected member is determined by the office.

2. In secret elections, the member with the highest number of votes is the first elected. In the event of a tie, the decision is made by drawing lots conducted by the presidency.

1. The first-elected member of a commission of the Cantonal Council convenes the meeting, after which the commission freely elects its chairperson and their deputy.

2. If the first-elected member is unable to attend the first meeting, the longest-serving member of the commission assumes responsibility for opening the meeting and conducting the formation proceedings.

1. The provisions concerning council deliberations apply mutatis mutandis to the deliberations of the committees.

2. Committees are generally invited to a meeting no later than 5 days before the date of the meeting.

3. For votes, including election proposals, only a simple majority is required. The chairperson shall also vote. If the votes are equally divided, the side on which the chairperson's vote falls is considered the majority.

4. A committee has a quorum when the majority of its members are present.

5. A committee may engage external expert support. The council office must be informed about each contract awarded. The annual spending authority for direct contract awards is 10,000 francs for permanent committees and 5,000 francs for special committees. Exceeding the spending authority is only permitted with the consent of the council office.

1. Secretariat and Record Keeping shall be managed by the Secretariat of the Cantonal Council. Exceptionally, this task may be delegated to an employee of the cantonal administration or an external person.

2. Commission decisions shall be recorded verbatim, while the speeches shall be summarized. For the purpose of record-keeping, the proceedings may be recorded by audio. Once the commission has approved the minutes, these recordings must be deleted.

1. The Commission submits a report, either in writing or orally, to the Cantonal Council on the business it has reviewed. It may request consideration under the simplified procedure pursuant to § 45 para. 3.

2. It designates a spokesperson to substantiate its motions, who shall take a seat at the Secretariat's table for the duration of the deliberations.

3. The minority of a commission has the right to designate a spokesperson.

4. Commission motions and minority motions shall generally be communicated to the Council members in writing no later than with the invitation to the Council meeting.

1. The Cantonal Council elects a secretary for the term of office, who is responsible for taking minutes, managing correspondence, and drafting the resolutions of the Cantonal Council.

2. All documents issued by the Cantonal Council must be signed by the presidency and the secretariat.

3. The office regulates deputization; it may authorize additional temporary staff for the Council Secretariat.

4. The office issues the task description for the Council Secretariat.

1. The Secretary of the Cantonal Council and their deputy are sworn into duty by the President upon taking the oath.

2. The oath reads: "I pledge to faithfully and conscientiously fulfill the duties assigned to me." The oath is taken by repeating the words "I pledge this."

1. The minutes shall include the names of the chairperson and the secretary, the presence of the cantonal council, the list of items and new entries, the deliberations with the names of speakers and the essential content of the statements, the results of votes and elections, as well as the resolutions passed. Written justifications for motions and interpellations, as well as written statements and responses from the government council thereto, are to be included in the minutes of the meeting in which the relevant matters are addressed.

2. The minutes shall be published. The office shall determine the method of publication and specify who will receive the printed version of the minutes free of charge.

3. A recording device may be used as a technical aid for taking minutes. After the minutes have been approved by the office, the audio recording shall be deleted. The office decides on the exceptional longer retention of audio recordings.

1. Members of the Government Council have an advisory vote and the right to submit motions. A member of the Government Council shall be given the floor upon request; there is no restriction on their speaking time.

2. In cases that prevent participation, members of the Government Council must provide timely apologies to the presidency or the secretariat.

1. Drafts and proposals for laws, decrees, or resolutions of the Cantonal Parliament shall be submitted by the Government Council along with an explanatory report.

2. If the preparation of a proposal has been delegated to a commission by resolution of the Cantonal Parliament, the commission shall present the parliament with a report and proposal upon completion of its work, which meets the requirements for a government council proposal. The commission shall simultaneously forward the report and proposal to the Government Council for an opinion.

1. The State Chancellery ensures the liaison between the Government Council and the Cantonal Council.

2. The State Secretary or State Secretary and the legal experts of the Secretariat provide legal advice to the Presidium, the Executive Board, the Presidium of the Parliamentary Groups, and, if necessary, the Chairpersons of the Committees of the Cantonal Council.

1. The chancery, usher, archival, and other administrative duties for the Cantonal Council shall be executed by mutual agreement between the State Chancellery and the administration.

2. During sessions of the Cantonal Council, usher services are to be ensured.

3. Minutes of the Cantonal Council, its office, and its commissions, as well as all other documents, shall be handed over to the State Chancellery, which is responsible for their proper safekeeping.

1. After every complete renewal of the Cantonal Council, the Cantonal Council is invited by the Government Council to the constitutive session.

1. The inaugural meeting is opened by the oldest present member of the council and is chaired until after the election of the bureau.

2. The senior president sets the provisional agenda. He or she forms the provisional bureau with two vote counters designated by him or her and a secretary.

1. The Cantonal Council acknowledges the election results.

2. Council members whose election is contested shall refrain from participating until the validity of their election is determined.

1. Upon acknowledgment of the election results, the members of the council shall be sworn into office by the eldest member of the council through the taking of the oath.

2. The oath reads: "The members of the Cantonal Council pledge to promote the honor, welfare, and benefit of the Canton of Schaffhausen and to perform their duties in accordance with the Constitution and the laws to the best of their knowledge and conscience." The oath is taken by repeating the words "I pledge it."

3. The eldest member of the council, as well as those members joining the Cantonal Council after the inaugural session, shall be sworn into office in the same manner.

1. Following the swearing-in, the Cantonal Council proceeds with the election of the President of the Government and the ordinary office. Afterwards, the other renewal elections to which it is entitled take place.

1. Upon entering the Cantonal Parliament, each member shall inform the office of

a) their professional activity

b) their activity in executive and supervisory bodies of municipal, cantonal, Swiss, and foreign corporations, institutions, and foundations of private and public law

c) ongoing leadership and advisory functions for municipal, cantonal, Swiss, and foreign interest groups

d) participation in commissions and other bodies of the Confederation, the Canton, and the municipalities

2. Significant changes must be reported on an ongoing basis.

3. The office of the Cantonal Parliament oversees the compliance with disclosure obligations. It may request members of parliament to register their affiliations in the register of interests.

1. The cantonal council convenes for its sessions upon the invitation of the president.

1. Meetings of the Cantonal Council shall be held

a) when deemed necessary by the presidency

b) upon a written request with reasons from at least one quarter of the council members

c) upon the request of the Government Council

1. The invitation must include the list of businesses ready for negotiation as well as the other businesses submitted to the Cantonal Council.

1. Proposals, reports, and other documents shall typically be delivered to the council members in a timely manner so that they can be pre-considered within the factions, but no later than with the invitation.

2. In addition to the physical delivery of proposals, reports, and other documents, council members have the option to use the digital council information system as a supplement or replacement.

1. Matters that fall within the purview of one of the permanent commissions of the Cantonal Council shall be immediately referred to it by the presidency of the Cantonal Council upon receipt.

2. Special commissions of the Cantonal Council shall be designated for the preliminary discussion of all other matters, unless the Cantonal Council decides on direct discussion or assigns the matter to one of the permanent commissions.

1. Members of the council who are unable to attend must apologize to the Secretariat of the Cantonal Council in a timely manner, but no later than four days after the meeting.

2. Short, justified absences during a meeting must be communicated to the presidency.

1. The vote counters record an absence list twice during each session. At the order of the presidium, attendance may also be determined by a roll call.

1. The Cantonal Council is quorate when the majority of its members are present.

1. The meetings of the Cantonal Council generally take place every two weeks in the morning. They last up to four hours.

2. Meetings can also be held in the afternoon or evening. Sessions are also possible.

1. The President shall open the meeting with the announcement of apologies, newly received business, and other communications.

1. Based on the list of business, the executive committee of the Cantonal Council, in consultation with the Government Council, sets the agenda for each session. This agenda can be modified by the Cantonal Council.

2. All items of business that have been announced must be included in the agenda for the next session.

3. Items not on the agenda can be added if a two-thirds majority of the members present in the council decide so.

**1. Any member of the council wishing to speak on a matter or make a motion must request the floor from the presidium.**

2. The presidium grants the floor in the order of the requests received.

3. Speakers of the commissions and the government council may request the floor at any time.

4. Brief faction statements are permitted. They may last no longer than three minutes, must be registered with the council presidium before the start of the session, and submitted in written form to the council secretariat. No discussion takes place.

5. The floor may be requested at any time to demand adherence to the rules of procedure or to make procedural motions. Furthermore, a council member who has been personally attacked in the cantonal council has the right to make a brief personal response at any time.

1. In general, a council member may not be granted the floor more than twice on the same matter. A member who has not yet spoken must be given the floor before other members who have already spoken on the same matter.

2. If speakers digress, the presiding officer will admonish them to stick to the subject under discussion. If the admonition is not followed, the presiding officer has the right to withdraw the floor from the speaker for this matter. If the speaker objects to the withdrawal of the floor, the cantonal council decides immediately without discussion.

3. By resolution of the majority of the council members present, speaking time may be restricted.

1. If a council member breaches decorum or makes insulting remarks against the Cantonal Council, the Council of Ministers, or individual members of these councils, they shall be called to order by the presiding officer.

2. A council member also has the right to request that the presiding officer call another member to order.

3. If the member concerned objects to the call to order, the Cantonal Council shall decide immediately without discussion.

1. During the consideration of a proposal, an initial entry debate is usually conducted. This provides the opportunity to assess the proposal and take a fundamental position. In this process, speakers from the committees and the government council are given priority.

2. If no alternative motion is made regarding a proposal, entry is deemed approved. An entry resolution is not required if the matter consists of an indivisible motion or if its consideration is mandated by the constitution or a law.

3. If the council decides not to enter, the matter is considered completed and is removed from the agenda.

4. ...

1. Constitutional and statutory provisions are subject to two readings, whereas other matters are subject to a single reading unless a decision is made for a second reading.

2. The Cantonal Council may decide that during the first reading, the constitutional and statutory provisions be read aloud by the Vice-Presidency.

3. ...

3a. The Cantonal Council shall vote on a proposal without debate if a committee motion for simplified procedure according to § 16 para. 1 is present, this motion is noted on the agenda for the corresponding proposal, and at least five members of the Cantonal Council or a member of the Government Council do not raise an objection to the direct vote by a simple show of hands before the vote on the proposal. An objection is not justified. If an objection is made, the matter is to be debated at the next session of the Cantonal Council.

1. The outcome of the first reading of a matter, including minority motions that have garnered at least 12 votes, shall form the basis for the second reading.

2. The second reading of a matter shall take place no earlier than the next session. However, the Cantonal Council may decide to conduct the second reading immediately with a two-thirds majority of the members present.

1. In special cases, the Cantonal Council may decide, by a two-thirds majority of the members present, to conduct a third reading of a matter. § 48 paragraph 2 remains reserved.

1. Applications, insofar as they involve formulated texts, must be submitted in writing to the presidium.

2. A vote on applications concerning constitutional and legislative provisions, which are only introduced in the second reading in the cantonal council and accepted by the majority, may be held only after the government council and the relevant commission have provided their comments.

1. Procedural motions include, in particular, motions for

a) secret deliberation

b) verification of attendance

c) compliance with the duty of recusal

d) rejection

e) second or third reading

f) closure of the discussion

g) suspension of the proceedings

h) postponement of the matter

2. Procedural motions may be made at any time. They are to be addressed before substantive motions.

1. If there are no further requests to speak, the chairperson closes the discussion and proceeds with the vote.

2. Furthermore, the chairperson can close the list of speakers if the discussions drag on excessively. This order can be revoked by a resolution of the Cantonal Council.

3. The Cantonal Council can also decide to end the discussion with the consent of a two-thirds majority of the members present.

1. At the conclusion of the first and second readings, any member of the council may propose, with a brief justification, to reconsider a specifically designated part of the business or to revisit a decision made.

2. If the Cantonal Council agrees to such a proposal, a free discussion on that part of the business or the decision will take place again.

1. Once the deliberation on a matter is concluded, the presidency presents the question and the method of voting.

2. The council members have the right to raise objections to the method of voting, which the council decides on immediately.

1. If no counter-motion is submitted to a proposal, it is considered as adopted by the Cantonal Council without a vote.

1. Main motions are

a) The motion of the preparatory commission

b) Motions intending to entirely replace this motion

c) Motions for the deletion or rejection of the commission's motion

2. Amendments refer to a main motion, while sub-amendments refer to an amendment.

3. Contingent motions are those that, according to the will of the proposer(s), should only be voted on if a certain condition is fulfilled.

1. The presidency first determines which motions are considered main motions and which are considered amendments or sub-amendments.

2. Sub-amendments are to be voted on before amendments, and amendments before the main motions. In exceptional cases, unresolved main motions can be put against each other in principle votes.

3. If several motions have been submitted at the same level, they shall be put against each other in contingency votes. The following rules apply

a) No more than two motions are ever put against each other; the prevailing motion shall be put against the next.

b) The motions are voted on in the following order: motions from Council members, motions from the Executive Council, motions from the commission minority, motions from the commission majority.

c) If no motion for deletion or rejection has been submitted, any Council member can request that a main vote be conducted on the last remaining motion.

1. If a voting question is divisible, each council member may request the division.

2. In votes on composite motions, the division shall always take place.

1. If a matter consists of several articles or parts, a final vote shall take place at the end of the deliberations.

2. In the case of legislation and other matters that require two or three readings, the final vote shall take place only after the second or third reading.

1. Unless otherwise provided in the Cantonal Constitution, a law, or the rules of procedure, a valid resolution requires a majority of votes cast.

2. ...

3. The presidency is entitled to vote in ballots and elections. In the event of a tie, the side on which the presidency's vote is cast is considered the majority. If the presidency abstains from voting in the event of a tie, it makes the casting vote.

1. Voting takes place using an electronic voting system.

2. The voting behavior of individual council members in electronic votes is published.

3. The Cantonal Council shall issue regulations on electronic voting. These regulations shall determine the scope of application, responsibilities, details of the electronic voting process, and the publication of voting results.

1. The council may, for the protection of important state interests or personal matters, require a secret ballot with a two-thirds majority of the council members present.

2. Secret ballots are conducted in writing.

1. Elections shall be conducted by secret ballot. If no more candidates are nominated for commissions than there are seats to be filled, they may be declared elected without a ballot.

1. Election proposals may be submitted in writing or verbally by the Council Office, the parliamentary groups, or council members. Written proposals must be signed.

2. If other authorities are responsible for election proposals, these should be submitted to the Cantonal Council in writing.

1. Except for the last year of a term of office, the Cantonal Council elects the President of the Government, the President, the two Vice Presidents, and the vote counters of the Cantonal Council for the following year, each December.

1. In the field of justice, the Election Preparation Commission ensures that vacancies, whose holders are elected by the Cantonal Council, are announced in a timely manner. Applications are submitted to the Secretariat of the Election Preparation Commission for the attention of the Election Preparation Commission.

1. For the conduct of secret elections, the relevant provisions of the cantonal electoral law shall apply.

1. The results of the elections shall be communicated in writing to the elected individuals, the authorities, and any other affected parties.

1. Each member of the council has the right, through a motion, to request the enactment, amendment, or supplementation of the constitution, laws, decrees, or resolutions within the jurisdiction of the cantonal council.

2. The same right is also afforded to the office and the committees of the cantonal council.

3. If the motion is submitted by several members of the council, the member who is the primary signatory must be clearly identified.

4. A motion must be submitted in writing to the secretariat of the cantonal council. A brief written justification must be attached.

1. A motion that does not meet the requirements of § 67 is to be declared invalid by the Office of the Cantonal Council. The mover of the motion must be heard beforehand. In case of disagreement, the Cantonal Council makes the final decision.

1. The submitted motion shall be placed on the agenda of the next meeting, unless the Cantonal Council decides with a two-thirds majority of the members present to conduct an immediate deliberation.

2. After the rationale is provided by the mover of the motion, the Cantonal Council shall deliberate and decide on the significance of the motion following the statement from the Government Council. The Government Council is free to deliver the statement either in writing or orally.

3. With the consent of the mover of the motion, a motion may be amended or converted into a postulate or interpellation until the resolution of the Cantonal Council is passed.

1. A substantially declared motion is referred to the government council or a committee, unless the cantonal council decides by a two-thirds majority of the members present to resolve it immediately.

2. It obligates the assigned authority to submit a report and proposal to the cantonal council within a maximum of two years. This deadline may be extended by a maximum of two years by a resolution of the cantonal council upon a justified request.

3. The motion is considered settled once the report and proposal from the government council or a committee are presented, unless the cantonal council explicitly decides to maintain it in whole or in part.

4. After a maximum of five years, the government council must submit a proposal to the cantonal council indicating whether to further pursue or conclude a motion that has not been fully addressed.

5. The government council provides an annual report on the status of motions it has been assigned.

6. The resolution of substantially declared motions for the submission of a cantonal initiative at the federal level and for the initiation of a cantonal referendum is accomplished directly by submitting the cantonal initiative to the federal government or by the government council initiating the cantonal referendum.

1. The people's motion, signed personally by 100 eligible voters, must be submitted to the Council Secretariat with the specification of name, first name, residential address, and date of birth. It must be justified in writing.

2. The first signatory authorized to represent is to be clearly indicated. The office of the Cantonal Council may request an additional justification from him or her. The first signatory can withdraw the motion until it is discussed in the Cantonal Council.

3. An oral justification of the people's motion does not take place in the Cantonal Council. Additionally, it cannot be amended or converted after submission.

4. Moreover, the requirements for a people's motion and its discussion and resolution are subject to the provisions regarding motions.

1. With a significantly declared postulate, the Cantonal Council can issue a mandate to the Government Council.

2. The postulate obliges the Government Council to review the matter and, as far as possible, to act in accordance with the mandate. Its decision-making authority is not restricted by the mandate.

1. Postulates shall be submitted and debated in accordance with the provisions regarding motions.

2. The provisions concerning motions apply to the resolution of a postulate. The Cantonal Council may, in individual cases, shorten the deadlines for resolution.

1. Each council member has the right to request information from the government council through an interpellation regarding matters of cantonal administration or public interest.

2. An interpellation must be submitted in writing to the secretariat of the cantonal council. A written justification may be attached. The first-signing council member may request that the written justification be briefly supplemented with new aspects.

1. The submitted interpellation shall be placed on the agenda of the next session, unless the Cantonal Council decides with a two-thirds majority of the present members to discuss it immediately. The Cantonal Council must discuss the interpellation within six months.

2. Following the justification by the interpellant, the response is given orally or in writing by the Government Council. Upon request, a reasonable time period shall be granted for the response.

3. After the response, the interpellating member of the council declares whether they are satisfied with the information received or not. A discussion will only take place upon the decision of the Cantonal Council.

1. Each member of the council has the right to request information from the government council through a Small Inquiry regarding matters of cantonal administration or public interest.

2. A Small Inquiry must be submitted to the government council in writing. The State Chancellery provides the text of the Small Inquiry to the council members through the secretariat of the cantonal council.

1. The government council shall typically respond to the minor inquiry in writing within three months to the council members. No discussion shall take place.

1. A petition or complaint addressed to the Cantonal Council shall be referred to the office of the Cantonal Council, unless it falls within the jurisdiction of one of the other standing committees or the Cantonal Council appoints a special committee for it.

2. Requests for which the Cantonal Council lacks jurisdiction, clearly frivolous or impracticable submissions, as well as mere requests for information, are directly answered by the competent committee. In all other cases, it submits a report and proposes a response.

1. The decision shall be communicated in writing to the petitioners or appellants, the authorities, and other parties affected by it.

1. The council members receive an annual basic remuneration of 6,000 Swiss Francs. The basic remuneration covers the general expenses as well as expenses for the study of documents, party and public relations work.

2. The President of the Council receives a lump-sum compensation of 4,000 Swiss Francs. This compensation covers the preparation of meetings and public relations work.

3. The 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents receive a lump-sum compensation of 3,000 Swiss Francs, and the other members of the Council Office receive 2,000 Swiss Francs. This compensation covers the additional workload in the context of the management and meetings of the Council Office.

4. The members of the Audit Committee receive an annual lump-sum compensation of 3,000 Swiss Francs. This compensation covers the additional workload in the context of meetings of the Audit Committee.

5. The members of the Justice Committee receive an annual lump-sum compensation of 2,000 Swiss Francs. This compensation covers the additional workload in the context of meetings of the Justice Committee and the Election Preparation Committee.

6. The members of the Health Committee receive an annual lump-sum compensation of 2,000 Swiss Francs. This compensation covers the additional workload in the context of meetings of the Health Committee.

7. The members of the Committee for Construction, Traffic, and Energy receive an annual lump-sum compensation of 2,000 Swiss Francs. This compensation covers the additional workload in the context of meetings of the Committee for Construction, Traffic, and Energy.

8. The members of the Committee for Cross-Border Cooperation receive an annual lump-sum compensation of 1,000 Swiss Francs. This compensation covers the additional workload in the context of meetings of the Committee for Cross-Border Cooperation.

9. The Council Office may allocate special compensation for council members who conduct special investigations, review extensive documents, or prepare reports and similar tasks, upon request from the commissioning committee.

1. Council members receive a session fee of 200 Swiss Francs for each cantonal council meeting they attend.

2. Members of the council bureau and committees receive a session fee of 250 Swiss Francs for each bureau or committee meeting they attend. The session fee compensates for a planned meeting duration of four hours. For meetings planned for two hours or less, participants receive half a session fee.

3. Council members who are present for less than half the meeting duration receive half the session fee.

4. Presidents of the cantonal council or council committees receive double the session fee for each meeting they preside over.

5. Council members can waive the receipt of the session fee for individual cantonal council or committee meetings.

6. Members of permanent committees are reimbursed for continuing education costs in accordance with the regulations applicable to cantonal employees. The responsible committee decides on the amount of cost participation.

1. Council members receive an annual flat-rate travel allowance equivalent to a second-class annual subscription of the zone pass required for travel from their place of residence to Schaffhausen within the Ostwind tariff network.

2. The president receives at the end of the presidential year a flat-rate expense allowance for representation obligations and the presidential celebration, the amount of which is determined by the council office.

3. Each council member is entitled annually to an amount of 500 Swiss Francs for education and training related to council activities, which can be claimed upon presentation of the relevant documentation to the secretariat. Members of permanent commissions are also reimbursed for training costs in accordance with the regulations applicable to cantonal staff. The relevant commission decides on the amount of cost participation.

4. The regulation concerning expense reimbursements at the Canton of Schaffhausen applies to the reimbursement of additional expenses.

1. The parliamentary groups receive an annual group compensation equivalent to four cantonal council session fees per group member.

1. The compensations, attendance fees, and expenses shall be calculated and paid out on a semi-annual basis by the secretariat in cooperation with the personnel office.

2. In the case of disputed compensation claims, an administrative court complaint to the higher court is permissible. The council office shall attempt to mediate in advance.

1. The remuneration of the secretary and other staff of the secretariat of the Cantonal Council shall be determined according to cantonal personnel law and shall be set by the council office in consultation with the executive council.

1. All laws, decrees, and resolutions enacted by the Cantonal Council shall be forwarded to the Government Council for publication and execution. They shall be included in the Cantonal Law Collection.

2. If any significant errors affecting the meaning are discovered in an adopted enactment, the Office of the Cantonal Council shall make the necessary corrections. Such corrections shall be published in the Official Gazette and indicated in the Cantonal Law Collection.

3. The State Chancellery may correct grammar, spelling, or presentation errors at any time, provided they are insignificant in content. Such corrections shall not be indicated.

1. These rules of procedure shall enter into force on January 1, 2000.

2. They shall be published in the official bulletin and incorporated into the cantonal legislative collection.

3. They replace the rules of procedure of the Grand Council of the Canton of Schaffhausen dated June 5, 1972.