Law on the Grand Council and on relations with the Council of State (LGC) (LGC)
Table of Provisions (175)
Statutory Text (175 Provisions)
The Grand Council performs the duties assigned to it by the Constitution and the law.
This Act specifically regulates
a) the organization and procedure of the Grand Council;
b) the rights and duties of the members of the Grand Council;
c) the relations between the Grand Council and the executive and judicial powers.
The newly elected Grand Council is convened by the Council of State for a constitutive session, within the terms established by the Constitution, for the verification of powers.
1 Immediately after the publication of the election results, the most senior deputy, convened by the Secretary General of the Grand Council and with their assistance, shall constitute the Office for the Verification of Credentials with eleven scrutineers, designated by the representatives of the lists that have obtained seats.
2 After the assignment of one scrutineer for each list, the remaining seats shall be distributed in the same manner as seats are distributed in the Grand Council among the different lists.
3 Seniority, for the purposes of this law, is established according to the age of the deputies.
2. Competencies
[1] 1 The Office verifies the powers based on the report of the Cantonal Ascertainment Office and reports thereon to the Grand Council.
2 The Office particularly verifies
a) the results;
b) the allocation of seats;
c) the ranking of candidates and the proclamation of those elected;
d) the correct publication of results;
e) incompatibilities and the exercise of the right of option.
Constitutive session
1. Prerequisites
[1] Art. modified by Law of 19.11.2018; in force since 1.9.2019 - BU 2019, 293.
[2] 1 The Grand Council is constituted when at least the absolute majority of mandates have been validated.
2 The constitutive session is chaired by the oldest member by age.
2. Decisions
[2] Art. modified by Law of 19.11.2018; in force since 1.9.2019 - BU 2019, 293.
[3] 1 The Grand Council decides on cases of incompatibility; in the event of succession or complementary election with the majority system, the Presidential Office decides.
2 An appeal against the decision of the Grand Council and the Presidential Office may be lodged with the Cantonal Administrative Court within fifteen days.
3. Declaration of fidelity to the Constitution and the laws
[3] Art. amended by L 19.11.2018; in force since 1.9.2019 - BU 2019, 293.
Deputies whose election has been validated assume office by declaring their allegiance to the Constitution and laws before the President, signing the relevant certificate.
After the declaration of loyalty, the following steps are taken
a) the formation of parliamentary groups;
b) the appointment of the Presidential Bureau, which immediately takes office;
c) the appointment of one teller for each group;
d) the composition of the Commissions; [4]
e) ... [5]
[4] S-para. amended by Law of 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - OJ 2018, 195.
[5] Sub-para. repealed by Law of 19.11.2018; in force since 1.9.2019 - OJ 2019, 293.
… [6]
Replacement of a Deputy
[6] Article repealed by Law 19.11.2018; in force since 1.9.2019 - BU 2019, 293.
1 If a seat becomes vacant, the Presidential Office ascertains that there are no impediments to the successor taking office and, if necessary, invites them to exercise their right of option.
2 The resignation of a deputy is effective after the Grand Council has acknowledged it.
1 Groups are formed by all deputies elected on the same list, except as provided for in art. 13.
2 A group must consist of at least 5 members.
3 Each group notifies the President of its formation, indicating the name of the group leader and their substitute.
4 A group can only be formed during the constitutive session.
Lists with fewer than 5 elected members
1 Members of Parliament belonging to lists with fewer than 5 elected members may join a group pursuant to Article 12 with the consent of the latter.
2 Membership is permitted provided that it occurs for all members elected on the same list.
3 The joining must be communicated to the Services of the Grand Council at least 5 days before the constitutive session.
4 Joining does not modify the distribution of seats in the Commissions, for which only members elected on the list forming a group are counted.
1 The Presiding Office is appointed annually by the Grand Council at its first session in May. It is composed of
a) a President;
b) a first and a second Vice-President;
c) the group leaders or deputy group leaders in cases of absence of the incumbent.
2 The President and Vice-Presidents are not eligible for re-election to the same office within the same legislative term.
In the rotation of presidencies and vice-presidencies, the numerical strength of parliamentary groups is taken into account.
Sittings
1 The President convenes the Presidential Office when the regular performance of the functions of the Grand Council so requires, as well as upon the request of at least one parliamentary group.
2 The Secretary-General of the Grand Council participates, with advisory vote, in the meetings of the Presidential Office.
3 The meetings of the Presidential Office are not public.
Duties
1 The Presidential Office ensures the regular conduct of the work of the Grand Council and its Commissions and directs their administration.
2 It receives proposals from deputies regarding the functioning of the Grand Council.
3 It prepares the annual work program of the Grand Council, after consulting the Council of State.
4 It prepares the agenda for the sittings of the Grand Council.
5 It exercises supreme direction over the administrative affairs of the Grand Council and oversees the management and financial administration of its Services. In particular, the Presidential Office is responsible for
a) preparing the draft budget for the Grand Council and its Services;
b) all other administrative affairs of the Grand Council and the Services of the Grand Council that are not reserved for or delegated to other bodies.
6 It performs all other duties assigned to it by law.
President
1 The President directs the activities of the Grand Council, ensuring the observance of the law and the order of the sittings.
2 As the First Citizen of the Republic and Canton of Ticino, he fulfills institutional and representational duties and, for this purpose, has at his disposal the resources of the State. [7]
Vice Presidents
[7] Subpara. introduced by Law of 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
1 The first vice-president replaces the President when the latter is unable to perform his duties, and is in turn replaced by the second vice-president.
2 In the event of the President and both vice-presidents being unable to perform their duties, the oldest of the deputies present shall preside.
Tellers
1 As needed, the Presidential Office avails itself of the collaboration of tellers, one for each group, elected at the beginning of the legislature. They are re-nominated or replaced upon the annual renewal of the Presidential Office.
2 … [8]
3 In secret ballot votes and in elections, they carry out the counting of the ballots, under the supervision of the Presidential Office.
[8] Para. abrogated by Law of 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[9] In its inaugural session and for the entire four-year term, the Grand Council shall appoint the following general Commissions, each composed of 17 members
a) Commission for the Constitution and Laws;
b) Commission for Justice and Rights;
c) Commission for Management and Finance.
Commission for the Constitution and Laws
[9] Art. amended by L 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[10] The Commission for the Constitution and Laws
a) examines and provides preliminary opinions on draft constitutional amendments;
b) examines and provides preliminary opinions, both on their content and their form, particularly verifying their constitutionality and overseeing their coordination, on draft laws not assigned to other Commissions;
c) undertakes the drafting of bills, upon instruction from the Grand Council.
Justice and Rights Commission
[10] Art. amended by L 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[11] The Justice and Rights Committee
a) examines matters pertaining to the high supervision of judicial authorities, also managing relations with the Council of the Judiciary;
b) formulates proposals for the election of magistrates, in accordance with the provisions of the law on judicial organization, establishing for this purpose a special sub-committee, composed of one member per group, to which it may delegate the exercise of specific powers;
c) examines objects concerning judicial organization, as well as civil, criminal, and administrative procedure;
d) examines and formulates proposals for decisions on the merits and on the examination of petitions addressed to the Grand Council concerning objects not assigned to other Committees;
e) examines and gives its opinion on naturalization applications;
f) examines and gives its opinion on pardon applications;
g) examines the content and formulates proposals for decisions on appeals lodged with the Grand Council not assigned to other Committees.
Management and Finance Committee
[11] Art. modified by Law of 13.12.2023; in force from 16.2.2024 - BU 2024, 35; previous modification: BU 2018, 195.
[12] 1 The Management and Finance Committee examines and issues a preliminary opinion on
a) the report on socio-economic development guidelines, financial policy, and territorial planning;
b) the four-year strategic guidelines and financial plan;
c) the State's budget and financial statements, verifying the administrative and financial management of the State;
d) proposals concerning the levying of cantonal taxes;
e) proposals, not assigned to other Committees, concerning the granting of credits or the issuance of loans, or which are generally of financial importance to the State;
f) matters pertaining to high-level oversight, upon instruction from the Grand Council.
2 The exercise of high-level oversight in administrative and financial matters by the Management and Finance Committee is regulated by Articles 78 and 79 of this law.
3 The Management and Finance Committee may request information from other Committees regarding the financial impact of matters assigned to them.
4 The Management and Finance Committee has the power to formulate a preliminary opinion on the financial impact of a matter assigned to another Committee. This preliminary opinion must be attached to the committee report.
[12] Art. amended by Law of 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[13] 1 For the examination of objects pertaining to specific areas or subjects, the Grand Council may establish, by regulation, Thematic Commissions.
2 The regulation shall contain the list of Thematic Commissions and define their number of members and competencies.
Special Commissions
[13] Art. introduced by Law of 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
1 The Grand Council may appoint special Commissions for the examination of specific matters, determining their composition and mandate. [14]
2 A special Commission may be tasked with examining multiple related matters.
3 Once the matter for the examination of which the special Commission was constituted has been dealt with, the Commission is automatically dissolved.
[14] Paragraph amended by Law of 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
1 The Grand Council appoints the Control Commissions provided for by this and other laws, determining their composition and defining their tasks to the extent not already provided for by specific provisions. [15]
2 The Control Commissions are bound to secrecy regarding their work and express themselves solely through their reports.
Supervisory Commission for Detention Conditions
[15] Sub-para. amended by L 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
1 The supervision of detention conditions in cantonal prison facilities is entrusted to a Control Commission of 7 members.
2 It exercises supervision primarily through
a) regular visits to detention facilities;
b) hearings of detained persons without the presence of witnesses;
c) hearings of officials assigned to activities at prison facilities;
d) examination of complaints submitted by detained persons.
3 It annually presents a report to the Grand Council and the Council of State on its activities, with the recommendations and observations it deems justified, and promptly informs the director of the competent Department of any irregularities observed.
Sub-commissions
1 Commissions may form subcommittees internally.
2 Two or more Commissions may agree to establish joint subcommittees. [16]
Representation in Commissions
[16] Para. introduced by L 9.4.2018; in force from 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
1 The seats in the Commissions are distributed proportionally among the groups in the same manner as seats in the Grand Council are distributed among the different lists, it being understood that each parliamentary group is entitled to at least 1 representative in each Commission.
2 The Grand Council may decide to assign an additional seat in one or more thematic or special Commissions to deputies not belonging to a parliamentary group. [17]
3 Each group designates the commissioners to which it is entitled, including from among deputies not belonging to the group, and proceeds with any substitutions during the four-year term.
4 Substitutions become operative upon communication to the Presiding Office, which informs the Grand Council and the President of the Commission.
5 If a member of a Commission de facto impedes its proper functioning, the Commission may request his or her suspension from the Presiding Office of the Grand Council with a view to a substitution. An appeal against the decision of the Presiding Office of the Grand Council may be lodged with the plenum of the Grand Council within 15 days by both the Commission and the member for whom the suspension is proposed. The decision on the suspension must be taken by an absolute majority of the members of the Presiding Office, or of the Grand Council, respectively.
6 ... [18]
Constitutive Session
[17] Para. amended by L 9.4.2018; in force from 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[18] Para. abrogated by L 9.4.2018; in force from 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
1 Every Commission is convened for its constitutive meeting by the Secretary General of the Grand Council within 1 month of its designation.
2 The constitutive meeting is opened by the oldest of the commissioners present.
Presidential Office of the Commissions
1 The Commission shall elect a President and two Vice-Presidents each year and shall establish its work programme.
2 In the general Commissions, the rotation of presidencies shall, as a rule, follow the same procedure as for the presidency of the Grand Council. [19]
3 Each Commission shall be convened and directed by its President, who shall determine the agenda.
4 In the event that the President and Vice-Presidents are unable to attend, the meeting shall be chaired by the most senior deputy present.
Duties of the Commissions
[19] Para. amended by Act of 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[20] 1 The Committees prepare the discussion on all matters within their competence, submitting the relevant reports. The committee examination considers each matter as a whole, also evaluating its technical, legal, and financial aspects. The competences of the Management and Finance Committee, as per Art. 24 paras. 3 and 4, remain reserved.
2 The allocation of matters to the individual Committees is decided by the Grand Council based on the provisions of this law and the regulation as per Art. 24a. In cases of urgency, the President decides.
Means of the Committees
[20] Art. amended by L 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
1 The Commissions shall avail themselves of the services of the Grand Council and the cantonal administration.
2 The Commissions may engage external mandates.
[21] 1 Commissions may only discuss and decide if an absolute majority of their members is present.
2 Commission meetings are not public.
3 The Presidents of Commissions and Sub-commissions decide the format in which meetings are held. Commissions and Sub-commissions may meet in person at the Government Residence in Bellinzona, in another location, or virtually via video conference. [22]
Voting
[21] Art. amended by L 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[22] Para. introduced by L 24.9.2020; in force since 4.12.2020 - BU 2020, 351.
1 Decisions are made by an absolute majority of those present.
2 The President votes last.
3 In the event of a tie, the President's vote is decisive.
1 The Commission appoints one or more rapporteurs.
2 The rapporteurs submit a written report to the Commission which, before being approved, must be read or distributed in copy to the commissioners.
3 A minority may submit its own report to the Commission within the deadline set by the President.
4 The reports must be transmitted to the Grand Council at least 12 days before the deliberation, except in cases of urgency.
4a A commission report is designated as a majority or minority report based on the number of signatory members at the time of its transmission to the Grand Council. [23]
5 Commissioners dissenting on certain points of the commission's reasoning or conclusions may sign the report with reservation.
2. Delivery Deadlines
[23] Par. introduced by L 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
1 The President of the Grand Council may set a deadline for the Commissions to present their report.
2 The presidents of the Commissions must communicate in writing to the Presiding Office the reasons for any delays. [24]
3 The Presiding Office decides whether to accept the justifications for the delay and may set a deadline for the presentation of the report. [25]
Subsidiary provisions
[24] Para. amended by Law of 16.3.2021; in force since 21.5.2021 - BO 2021, 160.
[25] Para. introduced by Law of 16.3.2021; in force since 21.5.2021 - BO 2021, 160.
The functioning of the Commissions is for the rest governed, by analogy, by the rules concerning the functioning of the Grand Council.
1 When events of great institutional importance in the Canton require special clarification, the Grand Council, having heard the Council of State, may, by absolute majority, establish a parliamentary commission of inquiry.
2 The Grand Council, in the decree establishing it
– defines the mandate, financing, and number of members (at least 5);
– designates the members;
– designates the presidency.
Investigative powers and official secrecy
1 The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry has the power to investigate
– the cantonal administration;
– the Council of State;
– any and all public law entities or corporations;
– private entities with a public mandate, limited to matters pertaining to the execution of the mandate.
2 The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry cannot be opposed by official secrecy, nor is it bound by it when reporting to the Grand Council.
3 The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry decides whether the public interest in favor of the knowledge of a fact in the parliamentary assembly takes precedence over other public or private interests.
4 The members of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry are bound to the utmost discretion and remain subject to official secrecy even after the conclusion of the commission's work, regarding all facts submitted to it and not brought to the attention of the Grand Council.
Procedure
1 The parliamentary fact-finding committee determines the procedural measures necessary for its work in conformity with its mandate and the present law.
2 It adopts its own regulations.
3 The Committee has the same rights as the Management and Finance Committee in exercising high oversight, and furthermore may hear persons concerned by the facts subject to investigation, interrogate witnesses, and request the production of documents.
4 The Committee may engage experts and carry out inspections and on-site visits.
5 For the taking of evidence, the Law on Administrative Procedure of 24 September 2013 is applicable by analogy, insofar as not regulated by the present law.
Duty to cooperate
1 Anyone who, as a witness, makes a false deposition, or, as an expert, makes a false assessment or provides a false expert opinion before the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry, shall be punished in accordance with Article 307 of the Swiss Criminal Code.
2 Anyone who, without legal cause, refuses to make a statement or to produce documents shall be punished in accordance with Article 292 of the Swiss Criminal Code.
1 Every person heard has the right to know whether they are being heard in the capacity of a person concerned by the facts under investigation, a witness, an expert, or otherwise.
2 Every person heard has the right to present their observations regarding the facts subject to the hearing.
3 Every person heard has the right, should the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry ascertain elements against them, to be informed thereof, as well as to present their observations in relation thereto.
4 The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry has the obligation to inform interested parties of the tenor of this article, as well as that of Articles 292 and 307 of the Swiss Criminal Code.
Collaboration of the Council of State
1 The Council of State has the right for one of its representatives to be present at committee work, except in cases of overriding investigative needs.
2 The Council of State has the right to be informed of the elements found against its members and, more generally, against the administration, as well as to express its opinion thereon.
3 The Council of State has the right to submit to the Grand Council its own report, supplementary to the committee's report.
Relations with other procedures
1 If a parliamentary commission of inquiry is established, the other commissions shall cease to deal with the facts and responsibilities that it is tasked with ascertaining.
2 The establishment of a parliamentary commission of inquiry does not suspend any civil, administrative, or criminal procedure.
3 For justified reasons, after hearing the Council of State, the commission of inquiry may decide to prohibit or suspend, totally or partially, disciplinary or administrative investigations of the Canton relating to the facts and responsibilities that it is tasked with ascertaining.
Final Report
1 The Commission's final report shall summarize the ascertained facts and contain the resulting recommendations to the Grand Council. The Commission enjoys the right of initiative as provided for in this law.
2 If the majority of the commission does not intend to disclose ascertained facts as irrelevant for the purpose of fulfilling the mandate, the minority may request that this be expressly mentioned in the final report.
3 Before the presentation of the final report to the Grand Council, individuals against whom reproaches are made must be given the opportunity to examine the part of the text concerning them and to express themselves before the Commission orally or in writing within a reasonable time.
1. Members of Parliament who are interested in a specific sector can form parliamentary intergroups.
2. Intergroups must be open to all Members of Parliament and must announce their formation and members to the Secretary General of the Grand Council.
3. Intergroups are not entitled to allowances.
4. As far as possible, intergroups receive administrative facilities and meeting rooms for their work.
5. Intergroups cannot act in the name of the Grand Council.
1 Upon assuming office, each deputy informs the Services of the Grand Council in writing of
a) their professional activity;
b) their activity in management and supervisory bodies of legal entities, under public and private law;
c) their permanent management and consultancy functions for interest groups;
d) their participation in other institutional bodies.
2 Changes must be communicated immediately.
3 Professional secrecy remains reserved.
4 The Services of the Grand Council maintain a public register of the information provided by the deputies.
2. Oversight
The Presidential Office monitors compliance with these rules and may, without appeal, require a deputy to register a declaration of interest in the register.
1 A deputy cannot take part in the discussion and vote on a matter if there is a conflict of interest.
2 A conflict of interest is presumed if the matter personally concerns the deputy, their spouse, registered partner or cohabitant or their children, or a relative within the following degrees: parents and children; brother or sister; uncles and nephews/nieces by blood; brothers-in-law/sisters-in-law, fathers-in-law/mothers-in-law, son-in-law or daughter-in-law.
3 It is equally presumed if the matter concerns a private law legal entity, for its administrators and for those who can otherwise exercise decisive power therein.
4 The interest of a public law entity does not imply a conflict of interest for the members of its bodies, except for the discharge vote.
5 There is no obligation to abstain in the examination and adoption of bills.
6 The obligation to abstain referred to in paragraph 1 applies to the preparation, discussion, and vote in the plenum of the Grand Council and during the meetings of its bodies.
7 The deputy subject to the obligation to abstain must leave the chamber before the discussion and vote.
8 In case of dispute, the Presiding Office decides.
1 No criminal proceedings may be initiated against a member of parliament for allegedly defamatory expressions used by them during the deliberations of the Grand Council, its Commissions, in commission reports, and in parliamentary acts, unless authorized by the Grand Council.
2 The Grand Council decides whether to waive immunity at the request of the Public Prosecutor's Office, after hearing the preliminary opinion of the Presidential Bureau. The person concerned shall be given the opportunity to express themselves before the Presidential Bureau.
3 The decision to waive parliamentary immunity must be taken by an absolute majority. The vote shall be by secret ballot.
4 A member of parliament may voluntarily waive parliamentary immunity.
1 The President calls to order the Deputy who abuses parliamentary immunity, particularly through manifestly offensive expressions, or otherwise contravenes the law.
2 If the call to order is insufficient, the President deprives him of the floor, or respectively, strikes or redacts the document with which the abuse is committed.
3 The President calls to order the Deputy or State Councillor who disrupts discussions with remarks, interruptions, or in other ways; if the call to order is not heeded, the President admonishes him.
4 In case of persistence, the President may exclude the Deputy for the remainder of the meeting or session, depriving him of the corresponding allowance.
5 In case of opposition by the interested party, the Grand Council decides immediately without discussion.
1 Every Deputy has the right to the information and documentation necessary for debates, subject to special laws.
2 Access to the minutes and documents of a parliamentary committee is reserved solely for the members of said committee, unless the committee decides otherwise.
3 Access to the minutes and documents of the Presidential Office is reserved solely for the members of the Presidential Office, unless the Office decides otherwise.
4 For the necessities of parliamentary activity, Deputies may utilize the Centre for Legislation and Documentation.
1 Members of Parliament are bound by official secrecy concerning facts that come to their knowledge and must be kept secret or treated confidentially to protect overriding public or private interests, particularly for the protection of personal data or in consideration of ongoing proceedings.
2 The authority communicating information or a document covered by official secrecy must explicitly indicate this.
[26] 1 A member of parliament is obliged to report to the criminal prosecution authorities or to the Presidential Office any crimes and misdemeanours, prosecutable ex officio, that they observe or are reported to them in the exercise of their function.
2 In the event of a report to the Presidential Office, the obligation to report falls upon the latter.
3 Reporting obligations provided for by other laws remain reserved.
[26] Art. amended by L 13.12.2021; in force since 1.3.2022 - BU 2022, 50.
1 The Presidential Office or, where competent, the Presidents of the Commissions maintain relations between the Grand Council and the Council of State.
2 The Presidents and rapporteurs of the Commissions may also address themselves directly to the director of the competent Department, or to the competent executive officer, respectively.
1 The proposals of the Council of State to the Grand Council must be submitted in writing in the form of a message.
2 Simultaneously with the message, the Council of State shall deposit the complete file with the Grand Council Services, indicating the officials authorized to provide information.
3 The message must specify the financial and administrative consequences of the proposed object as well as its integration into cantonal planning.
4 The Grand Council shall decide on the message within 18 months from the date of its formal assignment to a Commission. [27]
5 For particularly complex matters, the Bureau of the Grand Council may provide for a term exceeding 18 months, up to a limit of 24 months. [28]
Participation of the Council of State in the work of the Grand Council
[27] Para. amended by Law of 16.3.2021; in force since 21.5.2021 - BO 2021, 160.
[28] Para. introduced by Law of 16.3.2021; in force since 21.5.2021 - BO 2021, 160.
The Council of State attends the sessions of the Grand Council either in full or by delegation and may intervene on any matter.
1 The State Chancellor may attend the sessions of the Grand Council and intervene on technical and administrative matters falling within the competence of the State Chancellery.
2 Other cantonal officials, or any experts, whose presence is expressly requested by the Council of State or the Director of the Department, shall attend parliamentary proceedings in the chamber.
3 The rapporteur may also request the presence of officials from the Grand Council Services or experts or, in agreement with the Council of State or the Director of the Department, of cantonal officials.
1 In dealings with the Committees of the Grand Council, the Council of State is represented by the director of the competent Department, unless the Council of State itself decides otherwise.
2 At the request of the Committee, a representative of the Council of State must participate in the work, or upon its request, must be heard.
3 The Council of State, or its representative, the director of the competent Department, may delegate, with the consent or at the request of the Committee, officials to assist in committee work.
4 The services of the cantonal administration are obliged to cooperate with the Committees.
Committee Hearing
1. Within the scope of its competence, a Commission may proceed to hear a State Councillor, even if there are no pending messages or initiatives.
2. At the request of the State Councillor, questions must be submitted in writing at least 10 days before the hearing.
3. At the request of the Commission, or on its own initiative, the State Councillor may take a written position within 1 month after the hearing.
4. If the Commission deems it appropriate, it shall report to the Grand Council with a report, not subject to discussion by the plenum, attaching any written position taken by the Council of State.
[30] At least once a year, an updated report on parliamentary acts not yet dealt with or implemented is published on the internet by the Services of the Grand Council. The Council of State is obliged to provide appropriate explanations.
[30] Art. introduced by Law of 24.1.2017; in force since 17.3.2017 - BU 2017, 41.
1 The Grand Council is competent for
a) the law;
b) the legislative decree.
2 The Council of State is competent for
a) the regulation;
b) the executive decree.
3 The Grand Council may decide, by an absolute majority of its members, to exercise the right of veto over acts of the Council of State and its Departments that involve tax increases, upon written request of at least one third of the deputies. [31]
[31] Para. introduced by Law of 12.3.2019; in force since 24.5.2019 - BU 2019, 153.
1 The law is the normative act of indefinite duration containing general and abstract rules.
2 The form of the law must be observed in particular for all provisions that impose obligations or confer rights on natural or legal persons or that regulate the organization, competence, or duties of authorities or establish a procedure, as well as in other cases where it is prescribed by a special provision.
3 The law is equipped with the referendum clause, unless it is judged to be of an urgent nature within the meaning of the cantonal Constitution.
Cantonal legislation for the application of federal law
1 The Grand Council is responsible for enacting cantonal law applicable to federal legislation.
2 This power may be delegated from time to time to the Council of State.
1 The following are adopted in the form of a legislative decree
a) legislative acts of determined duration containing rules of a general and abstract nature;
b) acts of general scope or financial importance according to Art. 42 of the Cantonal Constitution that do not contain legal norms;
c) acts of a generally binding nature deemed urgent within the meaning of Art. 43 of the Cantonal Constitution;
d) acts approving public law conventions of a legislative nature and those entailing expenditures subject to referendum;
e) all other acts that do not contain legal norms.
2 The acts referred to in letters a), b), and d) shall be provided with a referendum clause.
1 The Council of State shall promptly inform the Grand Council, through the Presidential Office, of the opening of negotiations with other Cantons for the conclusion or amendment of an intercantonal concordat.
2 The designated Commission shall receive from the Council of State information on the scope of the concordat and the progress of the negotiations. It may formulate recommendations to the Council of State, through the Presidential Office.
3 The designated Commission may, where appropriate, participate in the work of any intercantonal commissions.
1 The regulation is the normative act falling within the competence of the Council of State, of indeterminate duration, and containing general and abstract legal norms.
2 The regulation governs the application of a law; however, it cannot regulate matters extraneous to the law itself.
[32] The implementing decree is an act within the competence of the Council of State, of determined duration, containing rules of law, or, even without time limits, regulating particular matters.
[32] Art. amended by L 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
Laws, regulations, and decrees may be amended only by respecting the competence and procedure applicable for their adoption.
Publication and Entry into Force
1 Laws and legislative decrees subject to referendum, once the relevant period has elapsed, are published in the Official Bulletin of Laws.
2 They come into force on the date set by the Grand Council.
3 The power to establish the entry into force may be delegated from time to time to the Council of State.
4 Particular modalities relating to entry into force must be regulated in the legislative act itself.
1 Laws and legislative decrees of a generally binding nature, deemed urgent, enter into force immediately if decided by the majority of the members of the Grand Council.
2 The urgent act loses its validity one year after its entry into force and cannot be renewed as an urgent measure.
1 Legislative decrees not subject to referendum enter into force on the date fixed by the Grand Council.
2 The power to establish the date of entry into force may be delegated from time to time to the Council of State.
3 Particular provisions relating to the entry into force must be regulated in the legislative act itself.
4. Acts issued by the Council of State
The regulations and executive decrees issued by the Council of State come into force upon publication in the Official Bulletin of Laws, unless the Council of State establishes another date.
[33] The acts of the Council of State and its Departments subject to the right of veto of the Grand Council, as per Article 62 paragraph 3, are published in the Official Gazette and can only enter into force if the Grand Council has not exercised its right of veto within 60 days of said publication, suspended during the period referred to in Article 114 paragraph 1 LGC.
[33] Art. introduced by Law of 12.3.2019; in force since 24.5.2019 - BU 2019, 153.
The laws and decrees adopted by the Grand Council are signed by the President and the Secretary General.
The Grand Council exercises high oversight over the Council of State and the courts, and exercises the attributes of sovereignty that the Constitution does not explicitly reserve to another authority.
Criteria
The Grand Council exercises high supervision, adhering to the following criteria
a) legality;
b) conformity with the current legal system;
c) adequacy;
d) effectiveness;
e) economy.
1. Oversight does not include the power to abrogate or modify decisions, nor to give instructions for a single decision.
2. Merits review of individual judicial and administrative decisions is excluded.
1 The Management and Finance Committee exercises high supervision in administrative matters.
2 It may present reports whenever it deems necessary.
3 The Committee avails itself of the Cantonal Finance Control.
In financial matters
High-level supervision in financial matters is organized according to the rules set out in the legislation on the state's financial management.
[34] 1 Within the scope of the high supervision exercised by the Grand Council, a four-year plan is envisaged, aiming at the financial and procedural verification of an administrative sector on a rotating basis or, alternatively, of a project of particular relevance.
2 The choice of the administrative sector or project to be examined falls to the Management and Finance Committee, which avails itself of the Cantonal Finance Control for the verification.
3 The planning of the activity is discussed with the Administrative Director and the Technical Director of the Cantonal Finance Control, taking into account available resources and the planned annual activity.
4 During the verification activity, the Cantonal Finance Control reports to the subcommittee designated by the Management and Finance Committee.
5 The planning referred to in the preceding paragraphs does not limit the assignment to the Cantonal Finance Control of other specific mandates dictated by contingent needs or situations.
[34] Art. introduced by Law of 23.1.2017; in force since 17.3.2017 - BU 2017, 40.
1 The Management and Finance Committee is entitled to be informed by the Council of State, the administration, and any public law entity or private law entity in which the State holds the majority of the capital or votes, about any practice and to consult the relevant documentation, subject to special laws and overriding interests.
**2 With the consent of the Council of State, it may proceed with the hearing of persons subordinate to it, gather information from persons, or inspect documents, subject to special laws.**
**3 The Council of State may oppose a request for information or hearings only by virtue of special laws or for important overriding interests, which must be indicated in writing.**
**4 If the Committee maintains its request, the Grand Council decides by an absolute majority.**
**5 The Committee takes appropriate measures to protect official secrecy and personal data.**
1 Persons in the service of the Canton are obliged to provide any information truthfully and completely, as well as to indicate any useful document.
2 Persons in the service of the Canton shall not suffer any prejudice as a result of what they have truthfully declared to a Commission.
3 They may be subject to disciplinary or administrative proceedings by reason of statements made by them to the Commission only with the Commission's concurring opinion.
4 For the purposes of this law, persons in the service of the Canton are all persons who perform public law duties on behalf of an entity subject to high supervision, limited to those duties.
The interested authority shall be given the opportunity to express its views before the Commission reports on shortcomings in general or financial management.
[35] 1 Commissions entrusted with high-level supervisory tasks may address recommendations to the responsible authority.
2 The responsible authority shall report on the implementation of such recommendations, within the period set by the Commissions.
3 The recommendations themselves and the opinions of the responsible authority shall be published, unless there are overriding protected interests.
[35] Art. amended by the L 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[36] 1 Every petition shall be communicated to the plenum by the President of the Grand Council; it shall then be transmitted without discussion, for examination, to a general, thematic, or special Commission. [37]
2 The Commission shall report to the Grand Council, proposing
a) to consider the merits of the petition and to examine it;
b) not to consider the merits of the petition and to file it;
c) not to consider the merits of the petition and to refer it, if appropriate, to another competent authority. [38]
3 A report may be requested from the Council of State before the petition is discussed by the Grand Council.
4 In any case, the Grand Council must decide within 18 months of receiving the petition.
5 Petitions that contain offensive content, are manifestly intended to obstruct the work of the authorities, or lack concrete conclusions shall be directly answered by the Justice and Rights Commission to the first signatory, with notice given to the Grand Council.
[36] Art. amended by Law of 9.4.2018; in force from 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[37] Para. amended by Law of 1.6.2021; in force from 6.8.2021 - BU 2021, 242.
[38] Para. amended by Law of 1.6.2021; in force from 6.8.2021 - BU 2021, 242.
The exercise of the right to pardon is governed by special law.
Appeals filed directly with the Grand Council in cases provided for by law are governed by the Administrative Procedure Act of 24 September 2013.
1. Appeals against decisions or acts of the Grand Council are immediately transmitted to the Presidential Office of the Grand Council. The President informs the Grand Council thereof.
2. Unless the Presidential Office decides otherwise, the Council of State represents the Grand Council for every procedural act and, in particular, attends to the drafting of written submissions.
1. Elections falling within the competence of the Grand Council shall be conducted by vote.
2. Voting shall be by ballot, by secret scrutiny, and by an absolute majority of those present. For the purpose of counting those present, the number of returned ballots shall be decisive.
3. If a candidate is not elected in the first ballot, in the subsequent ballot, the appointment shall be by a relative majority.
4. In the event of a tie vote, the vote shall be repeated immediately, unless the Grand Council decides to postpone it to a subsequent session.
5. If, in the third ballot, there is again a tie vote, lots shall be drawn.
6. The drawing of lots shall be carried out by the President.
1 Unless the law provides otherwise, candidates are proposed to the Grand Council by the Presidential Office, which first verifies their eligibility.
2 Special provisions concerning the election of magistrates remain reserved.
1 The Members present receive a ballot paper bearing the indication of the election and the number of candidates to be elected.
2 The Members deposit the ballot paper into the urn.
3 The President takes part in the election.
4 The number of ballot papers distributed and the number of ballot papers returned is announced by the President at the close of the scrutiny.
5 If the number of ballot papers returned exceeds the number of ballot papers distributed, the scrutiny is declared null and void and must be repeated.
1 A ballot paper that contains votes for a number of candidates less than the number of candidates to be elected is valid.
2 Ballot papers are void if they
a) are not official;
b) are illegible;
c) bear identifying marks or contain expressions extraneous to the election;
d) contain multiple votes for the same candidate;
e) contain a vote for a person who is not among the candidates;
f) contain votes for a number of candidates greater than the number of candidates to be elected.
The impeachment procedure for a member of the Grand Council or the Council of State is initiated by the Presidential Office in the cases provided for by the Constitution.
1 The Public Prosecutor shall notify the Presidential Office, as soon as possible but no later than 3 months from the opening of the investigation, of the existence of criminal proceedings when the person concerned is prosecuted for crimes or offenses contrary to the dignity of the office.
2 The Presidential Office shall verify whether the conditions for opening impeachment proceedings are met following the communication of a final judgment of conviction to a custodial sentence or a monetary penalty for crimes or offenses contrary to the dignity of the office.
3 The cantonal judicial authority that rendered the judgment in the last instance is obliged to communicate it to the Presidential Office as soon as it has become legally binding.
Verification of conditions
1 The Presidential Office shall not pursue the procedure if it unanimously ascertains that the definitive conviction does not refer to crimes or offences contrary to the dignity of the office.
2 Otherwise, it shall communicate the opening of the impeachment procedure to the Grand Council.
3 The decisions of the Presidential Office are final.
1 The Grand Council appoints a special commission of 7 members tasked with formulating a reasoned opinion.
2 The person concerned has the right to be heard and assisted by a lawyer.
1 The Grand Council decides on the dismissal by secret ballot and by absolute majority of its members.
2 An appeal against the decision of the Grand Council may be lodged with the Cantonal Administrative Court; the Law on Administrative Procedure of 24 September 2013 is applicable.
[39] 1 An interpellation is a question submitted in writing, via the dedicated form, by one or more Members of Parliament, addressed to the Council of State, concerning a matter of general public interest and requiring an urgent response: public interest and urgency must be substantiated in the text.
2 An interpellation cannot contain statements damaging to institutions, must maintain appropriate tones, and must concern a single specific matter of general public interest.
3 The Presidential Office, having examined the interpellation, decides whether it requires an urgent response and communicates its decision to the interpellant; interpellations declared not urgent are automatically converted into questions.
4 If the interpellation is submitted by 12:00 PM on the twelfth day preceding the session and provided that its urgency is recognized, the Council of State responds publicly for a maximum of 10 minutes during that session. [40]
5 The interpellant declares satisfaction or dissatisfaction; a brief rejoinder by the interpellant and a brief surrejoinder by the representative of the Council of State are permitted.
6 After the response to an interpellation, there may be a general discussion, if the Grand Council so decides.
[39] Art. amended by L 22.2.2021; in force since 30.4.2021 - BO 2021, 137; previous amendment: BO 2018, 403.
[40] Para. amended by L 21.5.2025; in force since 25.7.2025 - BO 2025, 152.
1. An interpellation is a question formulated in writing by one or more deputies, addressed to the Council of State, concerning a matter of general public interest, which must be specified in the text.
2. An interpellation may be submitted at any time, through the Services of the Grand Council, which will send a copy to all deputies.
3. The Council of State shall respond to the interpellation in writing within 60 days. The written response shall be sent in copy to all deputies by the Services of the Grand Council.
[41] 1 If an interpellation or an question is signed by multiple deputies, the first among them shall be considered as the sole proponent for the procedural purposes of this law.
2 The Council of State, in its responses to interpellations and questions, shall adhere to transparent communication: it shall inform proportionally, objectively, and completely, clearly distinguishing between data and assessments, indicating sources, without omitting essential elements or concealing negative aspects. Should a legal provision or a superior public interest prevent it from answering certain questions, the Council of State shall expressly indicate the existence of such impediment.
3 Interpellations and questions whose signatories are no longer members of the Grand Council shall be struck from the record, unless they are taken over by other deputies.
4 The Services of the Grand Council shall inform the Grand Council of the striking from the record.
[41] Art. modified by L 23.1.2017; in force since 17.3.2017 - BU 2017, 41.
1 The proposal for a total revision of the Constitution must be signed by the majority of the members of the Grand Council.
2 The proposal is directly submitted to a preliminary popular vote.
Initiative for the partial revision of the Cantonal Constitution and legislative initiative
Members of the Grand Council exercise the right of initiative in matters of partial revision of the cantonal constitution and legislation
a) by means of an elaborated initiative, proposing a draft constitutional article, law, or legislative decree;
b) by means of a general initiative, proposing the elaboration of a draft constitutional article, law, or legislative decree.
Elaborated initiative
1 The elaborated initiative must be presented in writing.
2 The initiative is sent to all deputies, assigned to a Commission and transmitted to the Council of State.
3 The Council of State communicates within 2 months whether it intends to express itself with a message within a maximum period of 9 months from the presentation of the initiative.
4 The Grand Council must in any case decide at the latest within 18 months from the presentation of the initiative.
5 If the Commission does not report to the Grand Council with a report in time for a decision within the deadline indicated in the preceding paragraph, the initiative is directly discussed by the plenum. [42]
General Initiative
[42] Para. introduced by Law of 24.1.2017; in force since 17.3.2017 - BU 2017, 41.
1 The generic initiative must be submitted in writing.
2 The initiative is sent to all deputies and assigned to a Commission, which, after consulting the Council of State, reports within 3 months proposing
a) to proceed with the initiative, transmitting it to the Council of State for the drafting of the project envisaged by the initiative;
b) not to accept the initiative.
3 If urgency is voted, the Grand Council immediately decides on the follow-up to be given to the initiative, according to para. 2 lett. a).
4 The Council of State proceeds with the drafting of the project envisaged by the generic initiative within 6 months of its acceptance by the Grand Council.
5 In any case, the Grand Council must decide at the latest within 18 months of the submission of the initiative.
Counter-proposal
The Council of State or the assigned Commission may propose a counter-project to a parliamentary initiative.
Motion
[43] 1 A motion is a written proposal made by one or more members of parliament to the Council of State to take a measure of general interest.
2 It is transmitted directly to the Council of State.
3 The Council of State is empowered to accept the motion in its entirety, indicating the timelines for its execution. In this case, it becomes binding through written communication of the acceptance to the Presiding Office of the Grand Council and to the mover.
4 If the Council of State does not accept the motion in its entirety, it shall submit a message to the Grand Council within 6 months.
5 The mover may request, within 1 month, that the motion and the message from the Council of State be transmitted to a Commission.
6 In case of non-observance by the Council of State of the 6-month deadline for submitting the message, the motion is automatically transmitted to a Commission, unless the Presiding Office of the Grand Council grants an extension for the submission of the message, following a reasoned request from the Council of State formulated before the expiry of the aforementioned deadline.
7 The Commission reports to the Grand Council with a report on the motion within 1 year. [44]
8 Any withdrawal by the Council of State of its message on the motion shall not suspend the continuation of parliamentary deliberations, unless otherwise decided by the assigned commission, or by the Grand Council, respectively.
9 To the extent that the Grand Council approves the motion, it becomes binding on the Council of State, subject to constitutional powers. The Grand Council may establish the implementation timelines for the motion or set deadlines for the submission of an account by the Council of State on the measures adopted.
[43] Art. amended by L 24.1.2017; in force since 17.3.2017 - BU 2017, 41.
[44] Para. amended by L 21.5.2025; in force since 25.7.2025 - BU 2025, 152.
1 Individual Members of Parliament and the Council of State may propose to the Grand Council that it exercise the rights of initiative and referendum attributed to the Canton by the Federal Constitution.
2 The proposal shall be submitted in writing and may be verbally motivated.
3 After discussion, the Grand Council shall deliberate on the proposal within a short period, unless it decides to seek the preliminary opinion of one of its Commissions or of the Council of State.
The signatory of a parliamentary act may withdraw it at any time before the Grand Council's decision.
Proponents
If an initiative or a motion is signed by several members, the first among them shall be considered as the sole proposer for procedural purposes.
Right to be heard
[45] The signatory of a parliamentary act must be heard by the Committee to which the matter is referred, including through one or more commissioners designated by it, unless they waive this right.
Excerpt
[45] Art. amended by Law 29.5.2017; in force since 21.7.2017 - BO 2017, 227.
1 Initiatives and motions whose signatories are no longer members of the Grand Council are struck off, unless they are taken up by other deputies.
2 The Services of the Grand Council inform the Grand Council of the striking off.
Message to the population and authorities
In the face of problems of particular political relevance or that evoke significant tension in the Canton, the Presidential Office may propose a message in the form of a general resolution, addressed to the population or to any authority.
A session of the Grand Council consists of one or more meetings, as a rule on consecutive days.
Convocation
1 The President convenes the Grand Council in session when required for the regular discharge of its functions and when requested by the Council of State or at least 30 deputies.
2 The summons contains the agenda, is sent to the deputies with the relevant documents and published in the Official Gazette.
Session days
1 Sittings shall be held on weekdays, excluding the period from July 15 to August 15.
2 The Presidential Office shall draw up an annual program, having consulted the Council of State.
Terms of Convocation
1 Summonses with the agenda and documents must be sent to the deputies at least 12 days before the sitting.
2 If this deadline is not observed, in case of opposition from at least 3 deputies, the Grand Council may only deliberate by urgent vote.
3 The provisions of the first and second paragraphs are not applicable to the constituent sitting.
Agenda
1 The agenda must separately list, and according to priority, all items on which the Commissions are ready to report for the day of the session and those for which discussion is foreseen, indicating the intended form of deliberation, taking note of the Commission's prior notice.
2 The Grand Council may decide to modify the order of the items of business.
3 The Grand Council may decide to modify the form of deliberation established by the Presidential Office, upon written request from 1 group leader or at least 5 deputies. The deliberation on the request for modification shall take place in accordance with the form of written procedure.
4 The Grand Council may deliberate on an item not on the agenda, provided that urgency is voted
a) upon proposal of the Presidential Office;
b) upon proposal of a parliamentary group;
c) upon proposal of the designated Commission. [46]
[46] Para. amended by Law of 21.5.2025; in force from 25.7.2025 - BU 2025, 152.
1. The deputy is obliged to attend all sessions.
2. In case of impediment, they must notify the President, stating the reasons.
3. A deputy who is absent for 3 consecutive times without having informed the President of the reasons may be admonished by the President at the next session.
4. The admonition is recorded in the minutes and notified in writing to the interested deputy; if the deputy deems the measure unfounded, they may lodge an appeal within 5 days of notification to the Grand Council, which shall decide without discussion.
Attendance lists
1 At the beginning of each session, deputies shall sign the attendance list deposited in the chamber.
2 The President shall declare the session open once the quorum has been established.
3 The attendance list shall be withdrawn half an hour after the start of the meeting; deputies who arrive at the session after this deadline shall announce their presence to the President through the Grand Council Services.
4 Delays and early departures may result in deductions from session allowances, according to the modalities established by the Presidential Office.
Quorum
1 The Grand Council can discuss and decide only if an absolute majority of its members is present.
2 It is the President's responsibility to verify the quorum at any time.
Deliberations on Budgets and Management
The Grand Council decides on the final accounts and the management of the previous year by the end of June; it decides on the budget for the following year by the end of December, provided that the Council of State respects the publication deadlines stipulated by the legislation on the financial management of the State.
1 The Grand Council discusses the guidelines and the financial plan when examining the estimated budget for the year following cantonal elections.
2 The Grand Council discusses updates to the guidelines and the financial plan when examining the estimated budgets for subsequent years.
1 The sittings of the Grand Council are public.
2 The public nature of the sittings is also guaranteed through audio and video streaming, with audiovisual recordings archived and made freely accessible without delay. [47]
Presence of the public
[47] Para. introduced by Law of 12.4.2022; in force since 17.6.2022 - BU 2022, 156.
1 The public is not permitted in the courtroom; they attend sessions from the galleries reserved for them, in silence, refraining from expressions of approval or disapproval.
2 Anyone who contravenes these provisions may be removed or expelled by order of the President.
Maintenance of Order
1 The President shall ensure the maintenance of order in the parliamentary chamber, its immediate vicinity, and the public and press galleries. To this end, the President shall have at their disposal the ushers and, if necessary, police officers.
2 In the event of disorder or tumult, the President may always suspend or close the sitting or order the evacuation of the public.
3 The sitting shall remain suspended until this order is executed.
4 Should a public offense occur during a sitting, the President shall report it to the judicial authority.
Press Gallery
1 Representatives of the press attend the deliberations from their reserved gallery.
2 Access to this gallery is restricted to persons authorized by the Chancellery of State.
3 Multimedia recordings are governed by the Presidential Office.
Contacts with the media are maintained by the President, the Secretary General and, for matters falling within the competence of the individual Commissions, by their respective Presidents.
1 The floor must be requested from the President, who grants it in the following order: the rapporteurs, the spokespersons of groups and parties not forming a group, other deputies in order of registration, the State Councillors.
2 In case of discussion of initiatives, motions, resolutions and interpellations, the proposer takes the floor first.
2a In case of discussion of popular initiatives, the deputy designated for this purpose by the representative of the promoters, or respectively by the first signatory, takes the floor first. The designation of the deputy is communicated in writing, by the representative of the promoters or by the first signatory, to the Presidential Office. [48]
3 The President cannot participate in the discussions of the Grand Council.
[48] Para. introduced by Law 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[49] 1 Unless otherwise provided, the duration of an intervention shall not exceed 3 minutes.
2 The introductory intervention concerning parliamentary initiatives, motions, resolutions, and popular initiatives shall not exceed 5 minutes.
3 To the extent permitted by the form established for the deliberation of the subject matter, a Member may speak at most twice on the same question. This limitation does not apply to State Councillors, rapporteurs, and the author of a proposal.
4 The President may grant limited additional time of 3 minutes to State Councillors and committee rapporteurs.
5 The representative of the State Council, the rapporteurs of committee reports, and the authors of an initiative, an interpellation, or a motion may request to speak on the subject under discussion, regardless of the form of deliberation established for it. The intervention is limited to 3 minutes.
6 It is always permissible to request the floor to call for compliance with procedural rules, to present a point of order, or for a personal matter. The intervention is limited to 3 minutes.
7 Any attack on the person of the Member, as well as the circumstance that a Member is attributed, during deliberations, judgments or opinions manifestly different from or contrary to their own, shall be considered a personal matter.
8 Declarations of vote are limited to 1 minute.
[49] Art. amended by L 17.12.2025; in force since 27.2.2026 - BU 2026, 81 and 118; previous amendments: BU 2018, 195; BU 2020, 33.
1 The speaker must keep to the subject under discussion and refrain from obvious repetitions.
2 In case of non-observance of this rule, the President shall call him to order. If the Member does not comply, the President shall withdraw his right to speak.
1 Objects are deliberated upon in one of the following forms
- free debate;
- organized debate;
- reduced debate;
- written procedure.
2 The form of deliberation is decided by the Presidential Office, upon a reasoned proposal from the relevant Commission, and is indicated on the agenda. [50]
3 The Presidential Office may propose an increase in the maximum speaking times for each form of debate depending on the subject matter. [51]
[50] Par. amended by Law of 7.11.2016; in force since 30.12.2016 - BU 2016, 527.
[51] Par. introduced by Law of 17.12.2025; in force since 27.2.2026 - BU 2026, 81.
[52] 1 In the free debate, each intervention is limited to a maximum of
- 3 minutes for a deputy speaking in a personal capacity;
- 10 minutes for group spokespersons;
- 5 minutes for spokespersons of parties not forming a group;
- 10 minutes for rapporteurs;
- 15 minutes for State Councillors.
2 The free debate format is mandatory for deliberations on constitutional amendments.
[52] Art. amended by L 17.12.2025; in force since 27.2.2026 - BU 2026, 81.
1 In an organized debate, speaking time is limited and is allocated overall by the Presidential Office among parliamentary groups, deputies not belonging to a group, the representative of the Council of State, and rapporteurs of commission reports.
2 Parliamentary groups promptly communicate how they intend to distribute among their members the speaking time allocated to them.
1 In the abridged debate, only the spokespersons of the parliamentary groups and of the parties not forming a group, the representative of the Council of State, and the rapporteurs of the committee reports have the right to speak.
2 The maximum speaking time for each intervention is
- 6 minutes for the spokespersons of the groups;
- 4 minutes for the spokespersons of the parties not forming a group;
- 8 minutes for the rapporteurs;
- 10 minutes for the Council of State. [53]
[53] Sub-paragraph amended by Law of 17.12.2025; in force since 27.2.2026 - Official Bulletin 2026, 81.
In written procedure the Grand Council decides without debate.
1 The Grand Council may not deliberate on an item, except in cases expressly established by this law, unless based on a written report from the designated Commission.
2 Commission examination may be waived upon decision of the Presiding Office or when urgency is decided: in such a case, the Grand Council may deliberate immediately on the item.
1 An amendment is a proposal, formulated by a deputy or the Council of State, intended to modify the legislative bill under discussion. [54]
2 Amendments must be submitted in writing by 12:00 PM on the Friday morning preceding the first day of the session. [55]
3 Amendments cannot be submitted to the text of a elaborated initiative; however, it is permitted to submit amendments to the text of a counter-proposal to the initiative.
4 By decision of the Presiding Office and, where applicable, upon request of the competent Commission, amendments must be submitted at least 7 days before the start of the session. These are immediately transmitted to the competent Commission and to the deputies. This deadline does not apply to amendments deriving from those submitted within the aforementioned deadline. [56]
5 For the debate on amendments, the form of deliberation corresponds to that provided for the discussion of the agenda item. [57]
[54] Para. amended by Law of 21.5.2025; in force since 25.7.2025 - BU 2025, 152.
[55] Para. amended by Law of 25.1.2021; in force since 2.4.2021 - BU 2021, 103.
[56] Para. amended by Law of 25.1.2021; in force since 2.4.2021 - BU 2021, 103.
[57] Para. amended by Law of 21.5.2025; in force since 25.7.2025 - BU 2025, 152.
1 A motion of order (plea of incompetence, suspension or referral to a Commission, the Presidential Office or the Council of State) takes precedence in discussion and voting.
2 The plea of incompetence takes precedence over a motion for suspension, and the latter over a motion for referral.
3 A motion of order may be made at any time during the deliberations. The discussion must be limited to the motion itself.
1 Deliberations shall commence with a discussion on whether to enter into the subject matter.
2 The decision to enter into the subject matter must be put to a vote, unless the Grand Council is obliged, by the nature of the object, to proceed directly to its merits.
3 In particular, there shall be no vote on entering into the subject matter for the examination of initiatives, motions, proposals for cantonal initiatives, proposals for resolutions, petitions, appeals, or requests for clemency, nor for the examination of the State's preliminary and final budgets. In such cases, the Grand Council shall directly decide on the object or, if there is a committee proposal, on the proposal itself. The right of the author of an initiative to request that it be put to a vote before any counter-proposal is in any case reserved.
4 In the presence of multiple committee reports, the vote on entering into the subject matter shall concern the proposals of the majority report.
5 If the decision to enter into the subject matter based on the proposals of the majority report is rejected, the decision to enter into the subject matter based on the proposals contained in any minority reports shall be put to a vote.
6 In the presence of multiple minority reports, they shall be put to an eventual vote, in accordance with Art. 147, in order to determine the report whose proposals shall be put to a vote concerning entry into the subject matter.
7 If the Grand Council rejects the entry into the subject matter, the proposal shall be considered rejected.
8 Paragraphs 4 to 7 shall apply by analogy to the putting to a vote of committee reports on an object for which a vote on entry into the subject matter is not provided.
First reading of a draft law or legislative decree
1. After the entry into the debate has been accepted by vote, if applicable, the Grand Council proceeds to examine the draft, article by article or chapter by chapter, putting any amendment proposals to a vote, if applicable according to the procedures set out in Art. 147.
2. Each article or chapter is put to a vote; however, the President may declare its adoption when no explicit opposition is raised.
3. If the amendment of an article or a chapter implies the amendment of others, the Grand Council votes separately on each of them.
Final discussion and vote on the whole
1 Upon conclusion of the discussion on individual articles or chapters, the President opens the discussion on the project as a whole, as elaborated by the Grand Council.
2 Each deputy may propose the re-examination of individual articles or chapters.
3 The Grand Council decides on the proposal for re-examination.
4 Once the discussion is closed, a vote is taken on the whole, and the item is adopted or rejected in the text resulting from the deliberations.
5 At the end of the vote on the whole, the President, when necessary, asks the Council of State if it intends to request a second reading.
Drafting Committee
1 Following the close of the debate on the entirety of a matter and prior to the final vote, unless the initial draft has not been altered, or unless the Grand Council decides otherwise, every draft constitutional reform, law, or legislative decree of a generally binding nature may be submitted to a Drafting Committee for review or coordination.
2 The Drafting Committee shall consist of the rapporteur of the Committee and at least 2 deputies.
3 In any case, the Drafting Committee may only make modifications of pure form or rectify drafting errors, leaving the substance of the Grand Council's deliberations unchanged.
Second reading of a draft law or legislative decree
1. Principle
1 If the Council of State requests a second reading, the Grand Council shall proceed accordingly.
2 The Council of State has the right to present its observations within a maximum period of 3 months.
3 The Council of State always has the right to withdraw a bill or legislative decree initiated by it, before its definitive acceptance.
1. In the second reading, the text voted on in the first reading, with the amendments proposed by the Council of State, is discussed.
2. In the second reading, the discussion and vote take place as provided for the first reading, without discussion or vote on the principle of the matter; the Drafting Committee or, if applicable, a Committee, shall nevertheless carry out the appropriate verifications before the vote on the whole.
3. The decision adopted by the Grand Council in the second reading is definitive.
1. The Grand Council decides by an absolute majority of votes cast, unless otherwise provided by the Constitution or by law.
2. In the event of a tie, the vote shall be repeated without discussion at the beginning of the next session, with the exception of those on the budget and financial statements, which shall be repeated immediately. In both cases, should a tie occur again, the proposal shall be deemed rejected. [58]
3. The President, or whoever deputizes for him, shall not take part in open votes. [59]
2. Urgency
[58] Para. modified by Law of 21.5.2025; in force since 25.7.2025 - BU 2025, 152.
[59] Para. modified by Law of 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
Every decision on urgency must gather the affirmative vote of at least 2/3 of the voters.
Method of voting, absolute majority, computation of votes, publication of results
1. Voting shall take place openly, unless the law provides for a secret ballot.
2. … [60]
3. An absolute majority is equal to half plus 1 of the members of the Grand Council.
4. An absolute majority of voters is equal to the number of votes which, when doubled, gives a total exceeding the number of countable votes by at least one unit.
5. Abstentions are not counted; in secret ballots, blank ballots and invalid ballots are also not counted, subject to the rules for elections.
6. The electronic voting system counts and records the votes cast during each vote. The votes of the deputies and the result of the vote appear on electronic display boards.
7. The result of the vote is published in the form of a nominal list; in paper form, only the overall result is published.
8. In case of a defect in the electronic devices, voting shall take place by roll call.
[60] Para. repealed by Law of 10.10.2016; in force since 2.12.2016 - BU 2016, 485.
1. When there are multiple proposals, a contingent vote shall be taken.
2. All proposals shall be put to a global vote, eliminating, in each subsequent vote, the one that has received the fewest affirmative votes.
3. In the event of a tie, to determine which proposal is excluded, the proposals concerned shall be put to a vote against each other. In the event of a further tie, a draw shall be conducted.
4. The proposal that has received the highest number of consents shall be put to a final vote.
1 The Services of the Grand Council comprise in particular
- the Secretary General of the Grand Council;
- the Legal Counsel of the Grand Council;
- the committee secretaries and drafters;
- an administrative management officer.
2 The Services of the Grand Council are directly subordinate to the Presiding Office.
The Secretary General of the Grand Council
1 The Secretary General directs the Services of the Grand Council and coordinates their activities.
2 The Secretary General reports to the central services of the cantonal administration, specifically with regard to financial, logistical, and personnel management aspects of the Services of the Grand Council.
3 The Secretary General organizes their own substitution.
1 The Legal Advisor to the Grand Council assists the Presidential Bureau and the Commissions in the performance of the tasks assigned to them.
2 He carries out his mandate autonomously and independently.
The Secretaries of the Commissions
1 The secretaries of the Commissions assist the Commissions themselves, particularly their Presidents, in carrying out the tasks assigned to them.
2 If necessary, the secretaries of the Commissions, in agreement with the Presidents of the Commissions and the Department concerned, may enlist the services of the materially competent department of the cantonal administration.
Collaboration of the Grand Council Services with the Cantonal Administration and Third Parties
1 Services of the Grand Council maintain direct relations with the services of the cantonal administration; if necessary, they inform the competent Department beforehand.
2 If their mandate so requires, the Services of the Grand Council may request general, technical, and legal information from the services of the Council of State as well as from the Departments and their services. Departments and services are obliged to satisfy such requests.
3 The administration provides the Services of the Grand Council, to the extent authorized by the Council of State, with the documents necessary for the fulfillment of their duties.
4 Insofar as they are unable to perform the administrative tasks necessary for parliamentary activity themselves, the Services of the Grand Council shall, upon mandate from the Grand Council or its organs, resort to the services of the cantonal administration.
5 The Services of the Grand Council may conclude contracts relating to the performance of such tasks.
Employment relationships of civil servants
1 The Secretary-General is appointed by the Grand Council, upon proposal of the Presiding Office. Article 88 of this law applies by analogy to the appointment.
**2 The other officials are appointed by the Presiding Office.**
**3 Subject to paragraph 4, decisions concerning the employment relationship of the Grand Council’s officials, as well as administrative and disciplinary proceedings against them, fall within the competence of the Presiding Office. It may avail itself of the collaboration of the services of the cantonal administration.**
**4 Decisions concerning the termination of the employment relationship of the Grand Council’s Secretary-General fall within the competence of the Grand Council, upon proposal of the Presiding Office. The Grand Council decides by secret ballot, by an absolute majority of those present.**
**5 An appeal against decisions referred to in this article may be lodged with the Cantonal Administrative Court.**
**6 An appeal against termination does not have suspensive effect.**
**7 The application of Article 91 of the Administrative Procedure Act of 24 September 2013 remains reserved in the event of unjustified termination.**
The following must be kept
a) copies of acts and communications addressed to the Grand Council or sent by the latter to authorities and private individuals;
b) the minutes of the sittings of the Grand Council;
c) the list and collection of messages from the Council of State and reports from the Commissions, appeals, petitions, initiative and resolution proposals, motions, interpellations, and questions;
d) the register of deputies and the list of Commissions;
e) the minutes of the Commissions, the documents and information collected for the examination of individual items;
f) the correspondence of the Presidential Office, the Commissions, and the Services of the Grand Council.
1. The Secretary General is responsible for keeping the minutes, which must contain
a) the list of deputies present and absent, with or without justification;
b) the list and text of messages and reports from the Council of State;
c) the text of petitions and initiatives submitted to the Grand Council;
d) the text of committee reports;
e) the discussions and text of the Grand Council's decisions;
f) the outcome of votes, indicating votes in favour, against, and abstentions, and, in the case of a roll-call vote, the indication of the vote cast by each deputy;
g) the text of motions, interpellations, and their respective answers and discussions;
h) the list of questions and their respective answers.
2. The discussions of the Grand Council are recorded and reported in the minutes.
2. Publication, Complaints, and Rectifications
1. Minutes are transmitted by the Services of the Grand Council to the deputies within 6 months from the close of the session.
2. Within 1 month from transmission, deputies may lodge a complaint with the Presiding Office regarding the content of the minutes.
3. The Grand Council decides on complaints not admitted by the Presiding Office.
4. Rectifications to the minutes may refer only to errors or omissions in the transcription; no decision of the Grand Council may be amended.
3. Signature
1 Upon expiry of the complaint period, the minutes are deemed approved; they shall be signed by the President and the Secretary General.
2 After 5 years from the approval of the minutes, the recording of the discussions shall be offered to the State Archives.
3 The minutes of the Grand Council are public.
Access to Grand Council Documentation
1 Deputies, members of the Council of State, and officials authorized by the latter have access to the documentation. Provisions concerning access to the minutes and documentation of parliamentary Committees and the Presidential Office are reserved.
2 For access to and use of the documentation, the rules protecting confidentiality and data protection must be observed.
3 Third parties may request access to official documents in accordance with the State Information and Transparency Act of March 15, 2011. Applications for access must be submitted to the Presidential Office or, in the case of committee documents, to the relevant Committee.
The Presidential Office shall determine by ordinance the documentation and material that must be distributed to the deputies.
The Presidential Office, upon proposal of the Secretary-General, prepares the draft budget of the Grand Council and its Services and transmits it to the State Council, which incorporates it into the general accounts of the State.
Contributions to parliamentary groups
1 Parliamentary groups receive an annual contribution of CHF 40,000.– per group and a supplement of CHF 3,000.– per deputy, paid according to the modalities indicated by each group.
2 Deputies who do not form a group receive an annual allowance equal to the supplement provided for each deputy.
Sitting allowance [61]
[61] Marginal note amended by the Act of 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
1 A sitting allowance of CHF 200.– is paid to deputies for meetings of the Grand Council, commissions, and parliamentary groups.
2 For commission meetings lasting more than 2 hours, an additional pro rata allowance is due.
3 … [62]
4 … [63]
[62] Para. repealed by Law of 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[63] Para. repealed by Law of 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[64] 1 The Presidential Office of the Grand Council shall establish the methods for calculating compensation for the preparation of reports and for the performance of special activities in the service of a Commission.
2 The amount of compensation for a specific report or a specific special activity must be approved by the President of the Commission and the President of the Grand Council.
[64] Art. amended by L 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[65] 1 An indemnity is recognized for the President of the Grand Council for the performance of individual institutional or representational duties, within the limits established by the Presidential Office.
2 The indemnity referred to in subsection 1 is also recognized for other deputies for the performance of institutional or representational duties upon instruction from the Presidential Office of the Grand Council.
[65] Art. introduced by Law 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
1 The President of the Grand Council is entitled to an indemnity of CHF 10,000.- per year. [66]
2 The Presidents of the Commissions are entitled to an indemnity of CHF 1,000.- per year, increased to CHF 2,000.- if the number of meetings exceeds 20 per year.
[66] Paragraph amended by Law of 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[67] 1 Every deputy is entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses for attending sessions, as well as for carrying out duties strictly connected to parliamentary activity, upon assignment by the Presidential Office or a Commission.
2 The travel allowance for journeys within the Canton corresponds to that recognized by tax legislation for car travel; it refers to the journey from the place of residence to the place of destination, and back.
3 For journeys outside the Canton, the allowance is equal to the cost of a 1st class train ticket.
[67] Art. introduced by Law of 9.4.2018; in force since 1.5.2019 - BU 2018, 195.
[68] Contributions and allowances are, if necessary, adjusted for inflation, upon decision of the Presidential Office.
Implementing Provisions
[68] Art. amended by Law of 21.5.2025; in force since 25.7.2025 - BU 2025, 153.
The Presidential Office shall establish by ordinance the implementing provisions concerning working hours, the methods of assigning daily allowances and indemnities, determine the number of reimbursable group meetings, and ensure the correct application of these provisions.
[69] The Presidential Office publishes an annual financial report listing, for each group and for each Member, the allowances received according to Articles 161-164a.
[69] Art. introduced by Law 14.10.2019; in force since 20.12.2019 - FF 2019, 427.
The Law on the Grand Council and Relations with the Council of State of 17 December 2002 is repealed.
Once the deadlines for exercising the right of referendum have expired, this law shall be published in the Official Bulletin of Laws and shall enter into force immediately. [70]
Published in OB 2015, 101.
[70] Entry into force: April 17, 2015 - OB 2015, 101.