The big six

Energy

Lawmakers want to boost alternative-fuel production. Among the proposals: requiring fuel companies to sell at least 2 percent biodiesel – a fuel derived from vegetable oil – and 2 percent ethanol. Separately, lawmakers want more money to help low-income people pay their energy bills.

What’s happening: Low-income energy bill: done. And on Wednesday, the House passed a bill – most of it already approved by the Senate – requiring the mandatory 2 percent sales of biodiesel and ethanol. Starting in June 2009, the bill would also require all state agencies to use a minimum of 20 percent biodiesel for diesel trucks, ferries and equipment.

Crime

Lawmakers, particularly Republicans, are calling for tougher laws and restrictions on sex offenders. And local Rep. John Ahern has pushed hard this year to allow felony charges – instead of the current gross misdemeanors – against chronic drunken drivers.

What’s happening: On Wednesday, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to require prison sentences of at least 25 years for many child sex offenses, something that the House has already approved. The provision also includes developmentally disabled people and the elderly. But offenders who are family members could still get shorter prison terms and treatment – a move that lawmakers say is sometimes the only way to get a conviction.

WASL

Starting with the class of 2008, high schoolers must pass the Washington Assessment of Student Learning to graduate. Although scores continue to improve, many students are still failing. Lawmakers are pushing for alternative testing and more help for struggling students.

What’s happening: Lawmakers approved allowing alternative tests for students who fail twice, and called for a study of how to get more students to pass.

Spending

After several years of budget deficits, the state now has a $1.6 billion surplus.

What’s happening: After three budget proposals in two months, lawmakers are agreed on many of the big ideas – like leaving more than $900 million in savings for the next budget. The smaller pieces, including millions of dollars for Inland Northwest projects and programs, are being fitted together in closed-door negotiations.

Gay rights

Since the 1970s, liberal lawmakers have been trying to make it illegal to discriminate against gays and lesbians in employment, housing or financial transactions. (It’s already illegal on the basis of race, creed, religion, national origin, gender and other categories.) The measure failed last year by a single vote in the Senate.

What’s happening: The bill is law, thanks to a Republican senator who changed his mind and voted yes. Critics are trying to veto it with a citizens initiative this fall. In Olympia, however, all eyes are now on the state Supreme Court, which is due to rule on whether the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional.

Taxes and fees

Republicans began the year with a call to repeal the estate tax, but that sputtered out quickly. One recent proposal that grabbed headlines until it apparently died Saturday: the Seattle SuperSonics’ request for tax money to help pay for more than $200 million in renovations to KeyArena.

What’s happening: The House and Senate budgets both include tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks, including ones for farm fuel, farm machinery, film companies, aerospace suppliers, the timber industry, trail grooming, solar hot water systems, wood-waste boilers, vegetable seed companies, worker training and aluminum smelters.