The rental of office space is not required for the conduct of the primary elections. Please Note: For the 1996 Primary and Runoff Elections, 334 of the 508 county chairs reported $0 in office rental costs. In the event the county chair requires office space for the conduct of the primary election, rental for such space is payable from the primary fund for the period beginning no earlier than December 1 preceding the primary elections and ending no later than the last day of the month in which the last primary is held (general or runoff primary election). A copy of the lease agreement shall be transmitted to the Secretary of State along with the 1998 Primary Election Cost Estimate. Office rent shall not exceed the fair market rate for office space in the locale. Any change in a lease agreement and an explanation of such change shall be transmitted to the Secretary of State with the next required primary election estimate or report. Rental charges may not be paid from primary fund for the use of property in which the county chair or county chair's family has a financial interest. Any rented office space paid with primary funds must be located within a regularly rented commercial building. No payment may be made from the primary fund for janitorial services, parking, or signage unless such services are a requirement of the office lease.

Source Note:The provisions of this §81.129 adopted to be effective November 3, 1997, 22 TexReg 10502.