Thursday is the 23rd day of the 60-day legislative session.

The Legislature was only in session one day last week, but the recess days didn't mean lawmakers were out on the playground.

Committees held hearings throughout the week in advance of the upcoming first decking on Friday.

Any bills that have not been sent to the House or Senate floor by Friday will not be able to cross over to the other chamber, which essentially means those bills are dead for the session, although the proposals could potentially be revived before the Legislature adjourns in May.

The money committees in particular were busy, and more than 100 bills were heard in either the House Finance or Senate Ways and Means committees on Friday alone.

Several confirmation hearings also were held last week and acting Department of Transportation Director Brennon Morioka cleared his first hurdle — the Senate Transportation Committee — on the way to a confirmation vote before the full Senate. Morioka, who was named a deputy DOT director in 2004 after a stint as chairman of the Hawai'i Republican Party, would replace former DOT Director Barry Fukunaga, currently Gov. Linda Lingle's chief of staff.

Testimony for Morioka's confirmation was overwhelmingly in support and the Transportation committee unanimously approved his confirmation.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the dash to get bills passed, the House Judiciary held an information briefing on a bill that has already died for the session, but is of particular interest to U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, who was available to testify.

Part of the Women's Legislative Caucus package, House Bill 2773 (or companion Senate Bill 2217) would require DNA collection from people arrested for felonies. The current law allows for DNA collection only after a criminal conviction.

COMING UP:

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are recess days, but committees have numerous hearings scheduled before the First Decking deadline on Friday. The wide array of bills under consideration include everything from the designation of a Hawaiian monk seal day in April to a mandatory tax rebate lawmakers will have to agree on by the end of session.

Monday: Members of Voter Owned Hawai'i, the Hawai'i County Council, the Democratic Party of Hawai'i and the League of Women Voters will hold a 10 a.m. press conference calling on lawmakers to pass House Bill 661, a 2007 bill that would create comprehensive public funding for County Council elections. After failing to pass other versions of the bill, the groups want it amended to apply only to Hawai'i County Council elections. The Big Island council has already passed a resolution in support of the proposal, which would require candidates to get 200 signatures and $5 donations from registered voters before qualifying for public financing.

Wednesday: The Senate Water and Land committee will consider the nomination of Abbey Seth Mayer as director of the Office of Planning.

Friday: First Decking deadline. All bills that will be considered for crossover to the other chamber must be passed out of committee and sent to the floor for voting on Tuesday.