By: Swanson H.B. No. 5082
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the authority of the secretary of state to order a new
  election in certain counties.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 14, Election Code, is amended by adding
  Subtitle E to read as follows:
  SUBTITLE E. ORDER FOR NEW ELECTION BY SECRETARY OF STATE
  CHAPTER 249. SHORTAGE OF BALLOTS IN CERTAIN COUNTIES
         Sec. 249.001.  STANDARD FOR NEW ELECTION. Notwithstanding
  any other law, in a county with a population of more than one
  million, the secretary of state shall order a new election if the
  secretary has good cause to believe that at least two percent of the
  total number of polling places in the county did not receive
  supplemental ballots under Section 51.008 for one or more hours
  after making a request for supplemental ballots to the authority
  responsible for distributing election supplies.
         Sec. 249.002.  PROCEDURES FOR NEW ELECTION. In establishing
  the procedures for a new election ordered under this chapter, the
  secretary of state shall have the same authority granted to a
  district court under Section 231.007.
         Sec. 249.003.  EXPENSES OF NEW ELECTION. The expenses of a
  new election ordered by the secretary of state under this chapter
  are paid from the same fund and by the same authority that paid the
  expenses of the previous election.
         SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  an election ordered on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.