Major initiatives ranging from the renovation of University of Hawai'i facilities to renewable energy and measures to combat invasive species are still alive at the halfway point of the Legislative session.

Although both the House and Senate still must decide which bills will survive a key deadline for proposals to go forward or fail in the "crossover" from one chamber to the other on Tuesday, it will probably be weeks before legislators determine if the most controversial and costly of the measures will make it into law.

As a result, almost all the high-profile proposals are still moving, including the UH improvements, renewable energy initiatives and blocking invasive species at the airports and harbors.

At the beginning of the session, majority leaders from both houses agreed to a package of bills they wanted to see passed and those issues are still top-of-mind in both chambers.

"Everything is alive, everything is moving nicely, I think," said Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser.

Even the governor's controversial proposal to buy the Turtle Bay Resort is still afloat, although many lawmakers are skeptical of its feasibility.

"No one in the Legislature wants to rain on that parade and say that it's a bad idea, but in reality, the chances of the state coming up with hundreds of millions of dollars to purchase this is very slim unless some significant partners step up," Hooser said.

UH facilities became an issue after the departure of football coach June Jones cast a harsh spotlight on the 10-campus system's aging facilities.

Subsequently, majority leaders in both chambers have said that repair and maintenance at the university — as well as at the public schools — will be a priority as lawmakers figure out how to distribute funds in a slowing economy.

UH officials said they remain hopeful that lawmakers will come through with additional repair and maintenance funds needed to reverse decades of deterioration at the UH-Manoa flagship campus.

"I'm optimistic that they'll support our efforts to build on the tremendous amount of pride in UH generated by our Sugar Bowl experience by helping us realize the full potential of UH-Manoa to serve as a beautiful, intellectually stimulating center for all of Hawai'i," said Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw.

Energy initiatives included a proposal to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, as well as a measure that would require all Hawai'i residents to begin phasing out the use of incandescent lights, replacing them with compact fluorescent or light-emitting diodes.

Proposals to better prevent the spread of invasive species arose following the controversial launch of the Hawaii Superferry, which faced criticism that it would facilitate the spread of foreign plants and animals from one island to another.

While major legislation remains alive, this week's crossover deadline is more likely to sound the death knell for more controversial issues, such as a ban on smoking in parks and beaches.

Another bill that would have set extended prison sentences for certain crimes against pregnant women also failed to make it out of committee, as did one that would have banned high-caliber rifles.

Even after Tuesday's crossover deadline, it may look like some proposals are dead, but it could just mean that they're moving in a different bill, Hooser said.

For example, a House version of a bill that would have required big box retailers to redeem deposit beverage containers won't be sent to the Senate, but the Senate's version could get a new hearing in the House.

The demise in the House of a bill that would have removed limits on corporate campaign contributions now shifts attention to the Senate's version, which remains alive.

"We have a hunch that the Senate will get a little bit nervous about passing that out," said Jeff Mikulina, director of the Sierra Club Hawai'i, which opposes the bill.

The Sierra Club also has concerns about other bills, such as those that would change land use and zoning procedure, or one that would get rid of one of the triggers for an environmental impact statement.

But Mikulina is pleased with the way the Senate is dealing with other environmental issues.

"They have measures to require takebacks at the big box stores, some good energy bills, such as the lighting standard and increasing funding for the greenhouse gas task force," he said.

House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell said that he thinks it's shaping up to be a productive session and most of the priority proposals are still moving.

In addition, he said bills that aren't part of the majority package have also gained traction, such as state Rep. Sharon Har's interlocking device bill that would prevent people from driving under the influence of alcohol.

"It will keep someone who is drunk from driving their vehicle and at the same time allows those who might have a DUI to drive as long as they aren't under the influence," he said.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.