It's Round 2 for the transgender bathroom fight in the Texas Legislature.
The House version of the bill gets a hearing Wednesday in committee.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick insisted that transgender bathroom rules be a legislative priority in the Texas Senate. Now it's the House's turn.
The House bill would block cities, counties, and school districts from enforcing transgender-friendly restroom policies.
The Senate version is stronger – but as Alexa Ura of the Texas Tribune notes to NewsRadio 740 KTRH, the Senate version is languishing in the House.
Critics say the bathroom bills would result in Texas losing millions in tourism dollars annually -- as conventions and high-profile events protest by going elsewhere.
The House version is HB 2899 by Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton.