Rep. Houston Gaines Announces Criminal Justice Reform Legislation Signed by Governor

ATLANTA – State Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens) today announced that Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 288 into law on Wednesday, August 5, 2020. State Senator Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia) and Rep. Gaines carried and unanimously passed Senate Bill 288 in the House and Senate during the 2020 legislative session, and this legislation will allow for individuals to have certain misdemeanors restricted and sealed from their public criminal records after not reoffending for four years. Continue reading “Rep. Houston Gaines Announces Criminal Justice Reform Legislation Signed by Governor”

Rep. Houston Gaines Announces Final Passage of Legislator Pay Cut Bill

ATLANTA – State Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens) today announced that the Georgia General Assembly gave final passage to Senate Bill 416 on Thursday, June 25, 2020. Rep. Gaines sponsored SB 416 in the House, and Senator Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga) carried the legislation in the Senate. SB 416, which passed 104-56 in the House and 34-16 in the Senate, would reduce the salaries of General Assembly Members for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 2021) by 10 percent – matching the overall budget reductions of 10 percent. Continue reading “Rep. Houston Gaines Announces Final Passage of Legislator Pay Cut Bill”

Sen. Tonya Anderson and Rep. Houston Gaines Announce Final Passage of Criminal Justice Reform Legislation

ATLANTA – State Senator Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia) and State Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens) carried and unanimously passed Senate Bill 288 in both chambers on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. SB 288 will now head to Governor Brian Kemp for consideration. This legislation would allow for individuals to have certain misdemeanors restricted and sealed from their public criminal records after not reoffending for four years. Continue reading “Sen. Tonya Anderson and Rep. Houston Gaines Announce Final Passage of Criminal Justice Reform Legislation”

Rep. Houston Gaines Announces Senate Passage of Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation

ATLANTA – State Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens) today announced that the State Senate passed House Bill 823. The Senate voted 48-0 to approve the measure, ensuring unanimous passage in both the House and Senate. Rep. Gaines introduced HB 823 on behalf of Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp to combat human trafficking in Georgia. Continue reading “Rep. Houston Gaines Announces Senate Passage of Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation”

Speaker Ralston Announces Special Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System

ATLANTA – Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) today appointed a Special Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System. This special committee of the House of Representatives will consider legislation which seeks to modify Georgia’s civil justice system and the ability of citizens to seek redress through the courts.    Continue reading “Speaker Ralston Announces Special Committee on Access to the Civil Justice System”