Regulation on the Council of State - Distribution

1. The State Council decides on the allocation of departments at its first meeting after its complete renewal and in the case of by-elections during the term of office. It follows the principle of seniority in office; in the event of a tie, age is decisive.

1. The Council of State elects its President and Vice President at the first meeting following its complete renewal for a term of one year. In subsequent years, the election takes place on the last Wednesday of April.

2. The order of rotation for the presidential election is determined by the length of service; in the case of a tie, age is decisive.

3. The President and Vice President assume office on May 1st. The outgoing President is not immediately eligible for re-election.

1. Each department is headed by a member of the State Council; this person holds the title of Department Head.

2. Each Department Head has a deputy who represents them in the event of absence or incapacity.

1. The State Council decides on jurisdictional conflicts between departments.

2. If a matter involves multiple departments, it assigns one of them to lead and to prepare a comprehensive report.

1. The person designated by the State Council to represent the canton on a board of directors shall uphold the public interest in the company's strategy, if necessary by obtaining instructions. They shall report on their activities.

2. The mandate of a representative outside of the State Council expires at the end of the term of office during which it was granted, and in any case, on the day of the ordinary shareholders' general meeting at which the representative reaches the age of 70.

3. For actions taken during this mandate and the liability arising therefrom, the representative is considered a public official. In this capacity, the state ensures the same assistance as it does for its officials.

1. Members of the Council of State and the State Chancellor are prohibited from undertaking or engaging in any other gainful occupation, nor may they hold any managerial or supervisory function in an organization with economic purposes, unless such function is directly appointed by the Council of State.

2. They must disclose their economic interest affiliations in a register submitted to the Council of State.

1. The State Council shall regulate the details concerning the preparation of meetings, deliberations, and the issuance of its decisions by means of directives.

1. If urgency exists or during the summer recess, a decision may be made by circulation procedure. This decision requires the written consent of at least three members of the Council of State, unless a deliberation is requested by two members of the Council of State. This decision must be listed for information purposes in the minutes of the next regular meeting under "Circular Decisions."

2. In the case of urgent precautionary measures, the President decides and informs the members of the Council of State at the next regular meeting.

1. The protocol of the meeting reflects the decisions of the State Council and, if applicable, the voting results on the matter.

2. Each member of the State Council who opposes, abstains from voting, or recuses themselves has the right to have their opinion recorded in the protocol.

3. The protocol is confidential (Art. 77 GORPG). Only certified extracts are provided to departments and other interested parties.

1. The President, together with the State Chancellor, signs the decrees issued in the name of the State Council.

1. The State Council adopts a protocol guideline outlining the customs to be observed at ceremonies and in official interactions.

1. The present regulation shall be published in the Official Gazette to come into force on May 1, 1997; it repeals the regulation of October 14, 1987.