(ST. PAUL, MINN) – After more than an hour of debate, a House bill that bans transgender athletes from competing on girls’ sports teams has stalled in the Minnesota House.
House File 12 passed the House Education Policy Committee along a party-line vote 7-6 on February 19, sending it to the House Floor, where it was debated for more than an hour – including a total of three amendments.
A total of 68 votes were needed to pass the bill, but only 67 votes were cast in favor, with 66 against the passage of House File 12. Rep. Jim Joy (R-Hawley) voted in favor of the bill, while Rep. Heather Keeler (D-Moorhead) voted against.
The House eventually tabled the bill.
Flag Family Media News has reached out to Joy and Keeler for comment. As of the time of the publication of this story, we have not heard back.
Amendments
A total of three amendments were made to the bill.
Democratic Rep. Sydney Jordan, of Minneapolis House District 60A, introduced the first amendment that would call for athletes ‘to play on the sports team that they identify with.’
“This is the current policy in Minnesota, and it’s worked for 10 years,” Jordan told the House members.
To Rep. Jordan’s amendment, District 36B Democratic Rep. Brion Curran, says the amendment represents ‘Minnesota’s true values.’
Jordan’s amendment failed 67-66, along party lines.
A second amendment, introduced by District 49A Democratic Rep. Alex Falconer, would have protected kids ‘from unnecessary and invasive examinations,’ but was withdrawn.
A third amendment, brought to the table by District 43B Democratic Rep. Mike Freiberg, calls schools ‘to submit a statement that its athletes are vaccinated against diseases, like diptheria, whooping cough and measles, unless the vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons.”
“This amendment will protect student-athletes,” Freiberg said.
Freiberg’s amendment was called for a point of order for germaneness, and Speaker Lisa Demuth ruled that the point of order would stand – therefore quashing Freiberg’s amendment.
Discussion
After voting on the amendments, the House was in discussion.
Rep. Julie Greene says the bill allows the questioning of a girl’s gender identity.
“This legislation, by design, invites any person to demand a sex check for any girl athlete whenever they feel like it,” she said. “It is not a simple bill.”
Rep. Tina Liebling requested the bill be rereferred to the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Law, which, after a roll call vote, failed 67-66.
