Georgia’s First Paid Parental Leave Benefit for State Employees & Teachers Receives Final Passage in General Assembly

ATLANTA – Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) and State Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens) announced that House Bill 146 received final passage in the General Assembly today. House Bill 146 provides three weeks of paid parental leave as a new benefit to full-time state employees and teachers. This is the Georgia’s first paid parental leave benefit for state employees and teachers.

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Rep. Houston Gaines Announces House Passage of Legislation to Support Victims of Dating Violence

ATLANTA – State Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens) today announced that the Georgia House of Representatives passed House Bill 231 by a vote of 174-0 on Monday, March 8, 2021. This legislation, which was sponsored by Rep. Gaines, would create a new type of temporary protective order for victims who experience abuse by a dating partner. 

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Reps. Gaines, Wiedower Announce Funding for Local Priorities Included in House FY 2022 Budget

ATLANTA – State Representatives Houston Gaines (R-Athens) and Marcus Wiedower (R-Watkinsville) today announced that House Bill 81, the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY 2022) budget, includes more than $50 million in bonds to support a number of priorities for the Athens area, such as project funding for the University of Georgia (UGA), Athens Technical College and Athens Transit. HB 81 was passed by the House today, Friday, Feb. 5.

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Rep. Houston Gaines Joins Fox News to Discuss Legislation to Prevent Local Governments from Defunding Police

ATLANTA – State Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens) recently joined Fox News on the Fox & Friends First show to discuss House Bill 286, legislation which would stop local governments from defunding their police departments without demonstrated budgetary need.

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Rep. Houston Gaines Appointed to Majority Caucus Whip Team for 2021-2022 Legislative Term

ATLANTA – State Representative Houston Gaines (R-Athens) was recently appointed to serve as a member of the House Majority Caucus Whip Team. Rep. Gaines was appointed to serve on the whip team by House Majority Whip Trey Kelley (R-Cedartown), and his appointment is for a two-year term concurrent with his service as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives.

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