AUSTIN — The special legislative session is nearly a month away, but Rep. Ron Simmons is ready to file two different versions of what is likely to be the most controversial measure that lawmakers will debate: restricting where transgender Texans can use the bathroom.

Simmons, a Republican from Carrollton, told The Dallas Morning News he will file one proposal that will mirror a bill he filed that failed during the regular legislative session — an expansive ban on transgender bathroom use — and another that would apply only to public schools.

"I am going to file two versions. One that just does schools and one that does political subdivisions," Simmons said Tuesday, adding that when Gov. Greg Abbott officially notifies the Legislature of his intent to hold a special session, "it will be filed within minutes."

Abbott has said he liked the bathroom bill Simmons unsuccessfully pushed during the regular session. That legislation, House Bill 2899, would have barred transgender people from using the restrooms, showers and locker rooms that match their gender identity in public schools as well as places of public accommodation, like coffee shops, movie theaters and hotels.

Last week, the governor said he wanted, at a minimum, to see lawmakers pass a bill that will keep transgender schoolchildren from using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.

LGBT rights advocates have called this focus on public schools an attack on the most vulnerable transgender Texans — children. The business community has remained opposed to any such legislation, and sources recently told The News that passing a bathroom bill could even cost the Dallas Cowboys their chance to host the NFL draft next year.

But conservative groups, who frame the issue as a move to protect the privacy of women and girls, haven't let up. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the bathroom bill's most vocal supporter, has sided with fiercely anti-LGBT groups to promote the bill while denying it is meant to target the transgender community.

"All this bad publicity has only served to galvanize Texans in their support for the safety and privacy of women," Patrick political strategist Allen Blakemore said this week, citing recent polling showing an uptick in Republican support for the bathroom bill.

While Simmons' House Bill 2899 would have kept transgender Texans from using the restroom that matches their gender identity, The News reported it would have also axed rights that cities have extended to other groups that are not special classes protected in public bathrooms, such as veterans.

The bill would have barred political subdivisions like cities, counties and school districts from protecting any class of people not already protected under federal law in multi-occupancy bathrooms, locker rooms and showers.

Cities including Plano and San Antonio have passed local ordinances protecting the rights of veterans in public accommodation, which includes places like coffee shops, hotels, movie theaters and the bathrooms in those facilities. If Simmons' bill had passed as it was written, these cities' attorneys told The News they would not be able to sue on behalf of a veteran denied access to a public bathroom.

Simmons said his new version of the bill would likely include some changes to ensure veterans are not adversely affected.

"We're still trying to work on the wording to make sure that it's clear it's not a veterans issue," said Simmons. "We certainly wouldn't want a city or political subdivision passing something that would have unintended consequences."

Abbott must first file an official special session proclamation with the Legislature before lawmakers can file any bills. Simmons wants his approval once he does: "I do want to talk to the governor's office before I actually push the button."

The governor put 19 other items on the list of issues he wants debated during the special session, including a must-pass piece of legislation reauthorizing the operations of five state agencies. The session begins July 18, will last up to 30 days and could cost up to $1 million.