RALEIGH — North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory's administration says money transferred from a disaster relief fund to his office won't be used to defend House Bill 2 in court as legislators directed it should.

Instead, McCrory's top lawyer said late Friday the governor will keep using other available funds from agencies to cover those outside legal expenses.

There are several lawsuits on H.B. 2, which directs people to use restrooms in schools and government buildings corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates. It also limits local LGBT non-discrimination ordinances.

The General Assembly passed a bill moving $500,000 from the disaster fund to McCrory for the expenses, but McCrory let it become law without his signature because he wanted funds to come from Attorney General Roy Cooper, who won't defend the law.