Upon the receipt by the governor of the tentative budget provided for by N.H. Rev. Stat. § 9:6, the governor shall make provision for public hearings thereon not later than the ensuing month of December, at which the governor may require the attendance of the heads and other officers of all departments, and other persons receiving or requesting the grant of state funds and the giving by them of such explanations and suggestions as they may be called upon to give or as they may desire to offer in respect to items of requested appropriations in which they are interested. The governor shall also extend invitations to the governor-elect, the commissioner of administrative services, and the chairpersons of the finance committees of the house and senate to be present at such hearings and to participate in the hearings through the asking of questions or the expression of opinion in regard to the items of the tentative budget. The chairpersons of the finance committees of the house and senate, while sitting at such hearings, shall hold the office of budget advisors and shall receive the same per diem allowance and expenses as are provided for members of the governor’s council. If either chairperson shall be unable to sit, the vice chairperson of the committee shall act in the chairperson’s place and receive the same compensation and expenses.