Today@NCCapitol (May 5): Wrapping up week after big HB2 news

RALEIGH, N.C. — Good morning and welcome to Today@NCCapitol for Thursday, May 5. Here's what's going on at the legislature:

AGREEMENT: Republican leaders in the House and the Senate said Wednesday they have reached an agreement on a $22.225 billion spending level for the 2016-17 state budget. The deal clears a major hurdle for lawmakers in the short legislative session.

HB2: North Carolina's controversial House Bill 2 violates federal civil rights laws by preventing transgender state workers from using the restrooms and locker rooms of their choice, the U.S. Justice Department told Gov. Pat McCrory on Wednesday. Legislative leaders and Gov. Pat McCrory said they were unsure how the state would react, but the letter from the federal government gives the state only until Monday to respond.

HOUSE ETHICS (10 a.m.): The committee is scheduled to take up a bill requested by the state Ethics Commission. The bill number was not listed on the calendar Wednesday night.

SENATE FLOOR (11 a.m.): The state Senate is scheduled to meet but has no bills on the calendar.

HOUSE FLOOR (11 a.m.): The House is due to take up a bill amending various tax laws.