It is elected for each province simultaneously once every four years and has the responsibility for matters of sub-national or regional importance.
The number of seats in a provincial council is proportional to its population.
Johan Rudolf Thorbecke's reforms and his 'Provinces Law' (Provinciewet) of 1850 brought this privilege to an end.
The principal roles of the provincial council have become to set general policies, represent the people, approve provincial legislation and the annual budget and to oversee the executive.
This may also have consequences for the representation of small parties in the Senate, which is elected by the members of the States Provincial.