Lawmakers to Vote on Ending ‘Bathroom Bill’

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Republican legislative leaders in North Carolina and Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper say they have an agreement to end the state's "bathroom bill." The governor and legislative leaders hope a new version to be voted on Thursday will remove obstacles to expanding business and attracting sporting events.

But they'll have to get enough votes for a proposal set for debate Thursday so the replacement measure for the law known as House Bill 2 can pass. Social conservatives prefer keeping HB2 while gay rights groups say only a complete repeal will do.

The American Civil Liberties Union has issued a statement urging lawmakers to vote against the plan.

The agreement announced Wednesday night comes as the NCAA has said North Carolina sites won't be considered for championship events from 2018 to 2022 "absent any change" in HB2. Decisions would be made starting this week.