Some Republicans joined Democrats in rejecting the measure, which would have restricted bathroom access. Rep. Zooey Zephyr, Montana's first openly transgender legislator, won a second term last month.

Zephyr, Montana’s first openly trans lawmaker, later called the measure a “distraction from the work we were elected to do” and thanked colleagues who voted against it.

Montana lawmakers on Tuesday rejected attempts to ban a transgender legislator from using the women's restroom at the state Capitol, with some Republicans joining Democrats in opposing the measure. Democratic Representative Zooey Zephyr, a transgender ...