Rep González pointing out that the bill's language around "any reasonable step" is vague and will cause political subdivisions to decide by themselves how they will not violate this bill. Rep Weiner: This bill incentivizes legal harassment of political subdivisions.
Rep Weiner: Let's put this amendment in place to keep government out of the bathroom.
Rep Orr moves to table the amendment and Rep Weiner points out that this bill is going to lead to law suits as every political subdivision makes a different policy to comply with the "any reasonable steps" language.
Another Rep asks Rep Weiner to speculate on the hypo that someone from another state could allege that a school district wasn't taking every "reasonable steps" to stop folks from using the bathroom that doesn't match their assigned sex at birth.
Amendment to prohibit political subdivisions from forcing people to show their ID to use the bathroom fails.
Another amendment: Rep Simmons provides an amendment that would protect people who are attempting to comply with the law.
From which end? Is it to protect the citizens now made into police?
Another Rep stands to inquire about the incidence rate of Black trans women facing violence and harassment in the bathroom. AFAIK, a Black woman staffer here at the Texas capital was accused of using the "wrong" restroom. Rep Simmons clarifies that her office received threats as a result.
Unrelated laughter and chatter from reps on the floor as the discussion about Black trans women's vulnerability to violence and harassment proceeds. It's continued the whole time, but it's kind of disgusting right now.
Rep: Are you aware that trans people face high rates of sexual harassment and assault? Rep Orr (again, the author of the House bill): I am not advised.
Rep: Do trans women and men not deserve the same privacy and protection that cis women and girls do? Rep Orr: I am not advised.
Another Black Rep talking about the murders of Black trans women. "If this bill forces Black trans women to use the men's room, isn't that creating the very conditions this bill is trying to prevent?" Rep Simmons: Yes.
you know i wonder if the no cameras thing is just so that they don't have footage of this shit happening