Testimonies heard for controversial Texas 'bathroom bill'

Hundreds of people lining up today to oppose a revised Texas "bathroom bill" targeting transgender people that's being rushed through the state Senate.

Testimonies, which began at 9 a.m. Friday, were mainly pleas to reject the two bills that would require transgender people to use public restrooms corresponding to the gender on their birth certificates. Senate Bill 3 (SB-3) and Senate Bill 91 (SB-91) are being advanced during a 30-day special legislative session that began Tuesday.

The special session was ordered by Texas Governor Greg Abbott who spoke to FOX 26 News anchor Melissa Wilson on Friday morning, less than an hour before testimonies began.

The 'bathroom bill,' as it's been called, failed during regular session that ended in May, amid outcry from top businesses and LGBT activists.

Though there was little warning, hundreds of people still waited for hours to testify against it. Despite the opposition, however, the GOP-led committee wants to approve the bill as soon as possible and set up Senate passage as early as next week.