House Majority Leader Rep. Hugh Holliman is recovering from surgery to remove a portion of one of his lungs.

Holliman, a Lexington Democrat, is a two-time lung cancer survivor and primary sponsor of a new law that will ban smoking in bars and restaurants. The surgery was conducted as a precautionary measure, according to a news release from the House Speaker's office.

A lower lobe of his right lung was removed as a precautionary measure. The portion was not believed to be cancerous.

Holliman is recovering at Forsyth Memorial Hospital in Winston-Salem. He is expected to return to the legislature next week.