A controversial state law, known as House Bill 2 (HB2), isn’t having any known impacts in Johnston County.
The legislation was approved by the NC General Assembly after the Charlotte City Council approved a controversial bathroom ordinance. HB2 requires a person to use the restroom according to the biological sex listed on a person’s birth certificate.
A number of companies have announced they were withdrawing plans to do business in North Carolina, and several events and conferences have also cancelled statewide.
The Johnston County Visitors Bureau Board has not taken a position on House Bill 2, according to Donna Bailey-Taylor President and CEO of the organization. She told JoCoReport.com, “…We are not hearing from any our tourism partners that there has been an impact locally.”
Chris Johnson, Director of Johnston County Economic Development, said to his knowledge HB2 hasn’t impacted any industry looking at Johnston County.
A number of organizations are applauding the passage of the legislation, including the Christian Action League, NC Family Policy Council and Return America.
Gov. Pat McCrory, who signed HB 2 into law, released an executive order on April 12th to clarify a misconception about the law, in part, to clarify that private businesses can set their own rules for their own restroom use, locker rooms, and showers.
