House rejects motion to withdraw bill that would require athletic competitions be organized by biological sex

House members on June 6 declined a motion to withdraw House Bill 2037 from the Committee on Education, leaving the measure that would require athletic competitions and related facilities to be designated by biological sex in active committee status.

The clerk read the bill’s title and summary into the record before the nondebatable motion. Representative Wright moved that "House Bill 2037 be withdrawn from the committee on education." The presiding officer determined the motion did not receive the required majority and declared it failed.

The bill as read to the chamber would require each athletic association, conference or organization with authority over interscholastic, intercollegiate or other extracurricular sports to designate competitions by biological sex; it would prohibit biological males from participating in competitions or extracurricular sports designated for biological females, and it includes provisions about bathrooms and locker rooms and a private cause of action for students and institutions. Representative Wright made the withdrawal motion under rules described in the House, noting that the motion to withdraw is governed by house rules and is not debatable.

Lawmakers offered extended remonstrances and defenses from both sides after the bill title was read. Representative Nos spoke in defense of transgender constituents, saying, "Trans constituents have voting rights, speech rights, and I believe ... transgender athletes deserve to compete." Representative Drazen quoted a student, saying, "I've had biological men in my locker rooms, and it is scary," and urged attention to the student perspective. Representative Scharf recounted a student athlete’s experience and emphasized the effect on scholarships and recruiting if female athletes compete against biological males. Representative Dio, Representative Harvick and Representative Wright argued the bill was about fairness in female sports. Representative Hudson highlighted that the bill’s language also addressed bathrooms and locker rooms and warned of practical consequences in schools.

Several members said they sought a public hearing on the subject; some members said that request had not been granted. Representative Harvick said Republicans had asked for a public hearing and had not received one. Other members urged careful, respectful forums for the dispute. The motion to withdraw being defeated means House Bill 2037 remained in committee rather than being pulled back to the floor for further immediate action.

What happens next: no further floor action was recorded in the transcript. The bill remains in the Committee on Education, and members on both sides said they want further hearings or stakeholder engagement before any final resolution.