The Latest: McCrory aide says governor will sign bill

The legislature earlier in the evening finalized the bill, which was a response to a Charlotte City Council ordinance that expanded protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Democrats in the North Carolina Senate walked out rather than debate legislation aimed at blocking a Charlotte ordinance protecting transgender people from discrimination.

The Republican-controlled General Assembly took action Wednesday in a special session after the Charlotte City Council recently approved a broad anti-discrimination measure that allows transgender people to use the restroom aligned with their gender identity.

Legislation preventing North Carolina local governments from approving their own regulations covering sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination has cleared one chamber of the General Assembly.

Legislators are hearing from North Carolina residents supporting and opposing a state law aimed at halting Charlotte's new ordinance that lets transgender people use the bathroom aligned with their gender identity.

The Republican-controlled Legislature is taking up legislation to direct all public schools, government agencies and University of North Carolina and community college campuses to require bathrooms or locker rooms be designated for use only by people based on their biological sex.

The bill also prevents local governments from passing ordinances that prohibit discrimination beyond a state standard based on race, religion, color, national origin and biological sex.

Proposed legislation is expected to go beyond pre-empting Charlotte's ordinance by stopping other towns, cities and counties from passing their own nondiscrimination rules based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Gay-rights groups say the repeal effort is wrong and would deny gays and lesbians, bisexual and transgender people essential protections at public accommodations like hotels and restaurants.