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NC House rejects latest HB2 repeal effort

Members of the state House voted 44-74 to reject an efforts by Democrats to repeal House Bill 2, the controversial law dealing with LGBT rights passed nearly a year ago.

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HB2
By
Mark Binker
RALEIGH, N.C. — Members of the Republican-controlled state House turned back the latest attempt by Democrats to repeal the controversial House Bill 2.

House Minority Leader Darren Jackson tried to amend a bill dealing with Banking Commission membership to include the three-line repeal measure. Rep. David Lewis, R-Harnett, who was serving in the role of House speaker for the day, ruled the amendment out of order because it wasn't related to the underlying bill. Jackson appealed that ruling to his fellow House members.

"This is the week to repeal House Bill 2 or let it stand until after the next election," Jackson, D-Wake, told his colleagues.

All Republicans voted against Jackson's appeal. All Democrats, except Rep. William Brisson, D-Bladen, voted in favor of allowing the amendment.

While there's no legal deadline on repealing the measure, lawmakers will lose the incentive to compromise if and when the NCAA refuses to place championship games in the state over the next several years because of the law. That's expected to happen sometime this month.

House Bill 2 passed nearly a year ago. It most famously deals with the use of bathrooms in government facilities by transgender individuals. But other measures affect the rights of LGBT people in communities across the state and the ability of cities to set their own minimum wage.

Twice during his remarks, Jackson was interrupted by Republican members who argued he wasn't speaking to whether the amendment was or was not germane to the bill.

"I don't believe there is any issue more germane to the people of North Carolina than repealing HB2," Jackson said.

His effort came the day after Gov. Roy Cooper used his State of the State speech to call for repeal.

Ultimately, Jackson's bid to attach the amendment failed 44-72.

During a news conference afterward, Jackson and Rep. Graig Meyer, D-Orange, pointed out that several Republicans, including Rep. Chris Malone, R-Wake, had pledged to repeal HB2 during last year's campaign.

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