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Local state senator files new bill to repeal NC's HB2 law

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina state Sen. Jeff Jackson filed a new bill to repeal the state’s controversial transgender bathroom law.

The Mecklenburg County Democrat, along with three of his Democrat colleagues, filed Senate Bill 25 Wednesday in Raleigh. It’s a clean repeal of House Bill 2 that has cost the state millions of dollars.

The law, passed in March, prevents local governments from passing broad anti-discrimination ordinances for LGBT people and directs which restrooms transgender people can use in schools and government buildings.

The Senate bill will have a tough road through the Republican-led legislature.

It will be assigned to a committee and from there it is up to the Republicans in charge on whether the bill ever receives a hearing or vote.

Jackson told Channel 9 a repeal of HB2 may require lengthy conversations. He said he wants them to get started now, otherwise the state may lose more money.

“The economic consequences are not going to stop, they are going to build unless we do what we obviously should do which is get this law off our books,” Jackson said.

It’s unlikely a bill to repeal HB2 will move forward without support from the Republican leadership. But Gov. Roy Cooper has said there are enough bipartisan votes for a bill like Jackson’s to pass.

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