Amend HB 2509 by inserting the following appropriately
numbered sections of the bill and renumbering subsequent sections
of the bill accordingly:
      SECTION ___. Subchapter E, Chapter 172, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 172.127 to read as follows:
      Sec. 172.127.  CONDUCT OF PRIMARY ELECTION IN COUNTY WITHOUT
COUNTY CHAIR. (a)  Notwithstanding and in addition to other
applicable provisions of this code, this section applies to the
conduct of a primary election in a county for a political party
that:
            (1)  is holding a primary election in the county; and
            (2)  during the period beginning on the first day of
the filing period for candidacy in the election and continuing
through election day, has a vacancy in the office of county chair
that is not filled under Section 171.024, 171.025, or 171.027
within 10 days after the date the vacancy is made known to the
appropriate authority.
      (b)  The county clerk shall supervise the overall conduct of
the primary election for a political party covered by this section.
The county clerk shall perform the duties and functions prescribed
by this code for the county chair or county executive committee in
conducting the primary election and in attending to related
electoral matters.
      (c)  The state chair of the affected political party shall
perform the duties and functions prescribed by this code for the
county chair or county executive committee in processing
applications for a place on the ballot, certifying candidates'
names, and attending to political party matters related to the
conduct of the primary election.
      (d)  The state chair shall certify the appropriate
candidates' names to the county clerk for placement on the general
primary election ballot in accordance with procedures prescribed by
the secretary of state.
      (e)  The regular polling places designated for the general
election for state and county officers shall be used for each
precinct in the primary election unless the precinct is one that is
consolidated. In that case, the county clerk shall designate the
location. At least one polling place shall be located in each
commissioners precinct, except that in a county with a population
of less than 100,000, the county may be served instead by one
polling place located at the county seat.
      (f)  The secretary of state by rule shall prescribe the
procedures necessary to implement this section and to facilitate
the orderly and proper conduct of a primary election covered by
this section.
      SECTION ___. Subchapter A, Chapter 173, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 173.012 to read as follows:
      Sec. 173.012.  PRIMARY FINANCING IN COUNTY WITHOUT COUNTY
CHAIR. (a)  Notwithstanding and in addition to other applicable
provisions of this code, this section applies to the financing of a
primary election covered by Section 172.127.
      (b)  State funds may be spent to pay expenses incurred by a
county in connection with the primary election.
      (c)  The county clerk shall submit to the secretary of state
a written statement of estimated expenses to be incurred in
connection with the primary election.
      (d)  The county clerk shall file with the secretary of state
a sworn report containing an itemized list of the actual expenses
incurred by the county clerk in connection with the general and
runoff primaries.
      (e)  The secretary of state shall prescribe the rules
necessary to implement this section and to facilitate the orderly
and proper financing of a primary election covered by this section.