austin texas transgender activists business leaders urge texas senate panel friday scrap legislation would limit bathroom access transgender people say discriminatory measure would hurt state economy 250 civil right activists executives others register speak republican-dominated senate begin consideration measure closely watch item state agenda 30-day special session so-called bathroom bill become flashpoint u.s. culture war social conservatives say protect public safety civil right activists say measure allow government-sanctioned bias transgender people ashley smith transgender woman san antonio architect say transgender women suffer violence general public bathroom bill would make fearful see legislation would make real problem assault even bad ask members senate committee state affairs smith draw wide notice internet week post picture republican governor greg abbott supporter bathroom measure suggest idea transgender talk bathroom bill already lead 66 million lose convention business convention officials texas top cities tell committee measure enact state could lose 1.4 billion lose conventions sport contest events say main measure consideration senate bill say certain restrooms shower change facilities place public school must designate use persons sex state person birth certificate supporters number friday bill sponsor republican senator lois kolkhorst say sb much bathrooms find balance right declare gender right parent protect child say regular session end may texas senate easily pass measure die state house representatives pressure pro-business republicans political analysts expect similar pattern special session similar law north carolina partially repeal march prompt relocation major sport events economic boycott estimate cost state hundreds millions dollars activists executives tell texas senate ditch bathroom bill