Tennessee 'Bathroom Bill' Flushed For Now

NASHVILLE, TN — The House sponsor of the so-called "bathroom bill" pulled the legislation Tuesday, but said he would likely reintroduce the controversial proposal after working on the language.

The bill would require students in Tennessee public schools and universities to use restrooms and locker rooms corresponding with the sex on their birth certificate. It has drawn fire from LGBTQ groups which say it discriminates against students who are transgender.

Rep. Mark Pody, Republican of Lebanon, told the House Education Administration and Planning Subcommittee he was taking the bill off notice because of policy changes by President Donald Trump's administration.

"I have never seen an administration, courts and everything changing so quickly almost week to week," Pody told the subcommittee.

Pody said he will reintroduce the bill, which is sponsored in the senate by Mae Beavers, a Mt. Juliet Republican, once he is sure the language is "appropriate."

The bill's chances took a blow this week when it was pegged with a $1 billion fiscal note, as legislative analysts said it could cost the state its federal education funding. Gov. Bill Haslam's budget included $1.2 billion in federal funding for education.

Pody argued that the Trump Administration's withdrawal of Obama-era guidance that said transgender students were protected by Title IX, essentially extending gender discrimination prohibitions to students who are transgender, should result in a drastically lower fiscal note. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally said the move essentially rendered the bathroom bill unnecessary.

Image via State of Tennessee