Lawmakers Propose New Compromise on House Bill 2

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new attempt at an HB2 compromise calls for expanding the statewide non-discrimination law but does not include the LGBT community as a protected class.

It also leaves multi-toilet bathrooms and locker room regulations up to the state.

“It’s a bill that I view as sort of a bi-partisan path forward,” says Henderson County Representative Chuck McGrady.

He sponsored the bill along with another Republican and two Democrats.

“This is the first time we’ve seen a bi-partisan approach. And the bill reflects probably 10 months worth of work,” he says.

It’s getting quick pushback though. “This is HB2 repackaged,” says transgender activist Erica Starling.

She thinks it doesn’t go far enough.

The bill allows cities to pass their own non-discrimination ordinances, but gives opponents a 90-day window to collect enough signatures to push the vote to a referendum.

“The way they’re going about doing it. and the rights.. to put that up for a vote? That’s just another discriminatory bill shaped up to be like HB2.” Starling says.

Democratic Mecklenburg Representative Rodney Moore says it’s a good start.

“We need to continue to keep talking, Democrats and Republicans, and, and we need to, we need to, repeal this bill with all deliberate speed,” Moore says.

Freshman Republican House member Andy Dulin says both sides have to make concessions.

“It is a real compromise bill, that all parties should be equally pleased with and equally unpleased with,” Dulin says.

Governor Roy Cooper is not on board, releasing a statement that says in part, “I am concerned that this legislation as written fails the basic test of restoring our reputation, removing discrimination, and bringing jobs and sports back to North Carolina.”