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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on efforts at the North Carolina legislature to repeal or replace a state law limiting LGBT protections and which public restrooms transgender people can use (all times local):
11:45 p.m.
North Carolina's Democratic governor says he's on board with a proposal to end the standoff with Republican legislative leaders over the state's "bathroom bill," saying "it's not a perfect deal" but begins to repair the state's reputation.
Gov. Roy Cooper released the statement Wednesday night about the same time GOP lawmakers unveiled the details of their agreement.
The proposal would repeal the law known as House Bill 2, but it would still leave state legislators in charge of policy on public restrooms. And local governments couldn't pass nondiscrimination ordinances covering things like sexual orientation and gender identity until December 2020.
House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger says the legislation will be debated and voted on Thursday. It's unclear if the votes are there to pass it.
Berger and Moore said in a written statement they're pleased the proposal "fully protects bathroom safety and privacy."
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10:45 p.m.
North Carolina Republican lawmakers say they have an agreement with Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on legislation to resolve a standoff over the state's "bathroom bill."
GOP leaders announced Wednesday night that the new legislation would be debated and voted on Thursday. Details about the replacement weren't immediately available. It's also unclear whether there were enough House and Senate votes to pass it. Cooper didn't immediately comment.
Republican lawmakers and Cooper have sought an agreement by this week because the NCAA was poised to deny championship events to the state unless changes were made to the law known as House Bill 2. HB2 has prompted some businesses to halt expansions and entertainers to cancel concerts in the state.
Leaders of national and state gay rights groups said they are opposed to any legislation that essentially doesn't repeal HB2 completely and nothing else.
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8:30 p.m.
North Carolina lawmakers keep huddling to shape legislation that does away with the state's "bathroom bill" and gets enough votes for passage this week to avoid new punishments by the NCAA.
Republicans and Democrats spent several hours Wednesday in closed-door meetings. Several lawmakers said there was a new proposal floated by Republicans. Bills considered recently would repeal the law known as House Bill 2, but contain add-ons. No agreement had been reached Wednesday night.
HB2 blocks expansion of LGBT rights in local ordinances and requires transgender people to use public restrooms corresponding to the sex on their birth certificate.
The NCAA has said North Carolina won't be considered for championships from 2018 to 2022 unless HB2 is changed. The group has said site decisions would begin getting made this week.
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