- 11 -The members of each council must be at least 30 years old and meet certain property requirements. The functions of the councils were not numerous or important according to the Organic Law. Their effectiveness also decreased over time due to the infrequency of council meetings themselves, except for expressing opinions on administrative matters and annual budgets, and establishing agricultural roads and similar things. The most significant matter for them was the appointment of 14 members representing the provinces to the Legislative Council. The Financial Law of 1890 improved this by increasing the number of members for each province to 3, so that the number of members from each province varied from 6 in smaller provinces to 20 in larger ones, whereas before it was only 3 to 8. Their powers and duties also increased significantly, giving them the right to approve fees for public utilities and to refer to the government regarding local public utilities and the licensing of Arab settlements and their regulations. They also approved changes to the boundaries of administrative and judicial districts, the establishment of higher councils, and the establishment of public markets, and approved the number and wages of their workers.

As for the authority granted to them and the duties imposed on them in matters of education, they became the decision-makers in the provinces. Furthermore, they are now consulted on many matters they were not consulted on before. Their revenues are guaranteed and approved, not exceeding 5% of the total provincial government funds. Their decisions are final in imposing these fees and in the matters for which these fees are spent. The provinces' new financial powers greatly increased. The government also responded to their private revenue requests with significant aid to promote and expand education. This education received special attention, and the people also showed a benevolent spirit, accepting the increase in taxes willingly, hoping to raise the status of education in all the provinces.

The new Organic Law left the provincial councils with their existing powers. In 1893, another path to internal self-government was taken by establishing local councils.