Texas GOP leaders signal failed 'bathroom bill' won't return

January 10, 2019 at 4:01 a.m. | Updated January 10, 2019 at 4:02 a.m.

by Associated Press

A new sticker designates a gender-neutral bathroom May 17, 2016, at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle. On college campuses and in workplaces, across social media and in deference to nonbinary people, gender-neutral pronouns are more than just a new wave of political correctness. Pronouns "they" and "them" seem to be winning the race of acceptance as gender neutrals. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
A new sticker designates a gender-neutral bathroom May 17, 2016, at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle. On college campuses and in workplaces, across social media and in deference to nonbinary people, gender-neutral pronouns are more than just a new wave of political correctness. Pronouns "they" and "them" seem to be winning the race of acceptance as gender neutrals. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

AUSTIN-Texas Republican leaders are signaling that a failed "bathroom bill" in 2017 that targeted transgender individuals and upended the legislature isn't coming back.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Tuesday called the issue "settled" and claimed victory, even though two attempts to restrict bathroom access for transgender persons never passed last session.

New Republican House Speaker Dennis Bonnen has also said he's not interested in another try.

Corporate heavyweights from Amazon to IBM lined up two years ago against the efforts, which erupted into one of the most high-profile bills in any U.S. legislature. One proposal would have required transgender people to use public restrooms corresponding to the gender on their birth certificates.

A North Carolina "bathroom bill" in 2016 sparked backlash and boycotts worth billions of dollars in lost revenue.

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