Before our legislators take a nice long summer break, there are still a few more bills that need to be ironed out.

The week starts with a nice hot-button issue to get everyone riled up. On Wednesday, the House will hold a final vote on SB 30, which would allow pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception drugs without a prescription. Pharmacists would enter into "collaborative therapy agreements" with prescribers to dispense the drugs from behind the counter.

The bill carries the approval of the Executive Departments and Administration Committee, which said expanded access to emergency contraception is crucial for working women, low-income women and victims of sexual and domestic violence. However, critics have blasted the bill for not setting any age limitations on the drug or guidelines for parental notification if the drug is given to a minor.

Alternative energy sources are also on the agenda this week. The Senate Energy and Economic Development Committee will look at HB 185, which would set up a committee to figure out how to maximize incentives for people to use alternative, renewable energy resources. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Sam Cataldo (R-Farmington), started out as a measure to promote the use of geothermal energy in the state, but it has since grown to include everything from wind power to hydro energy. The committee will study where in the state these sources of energy can be harvested and will determine what incentives could be given to people to use renewable energy.

In an earlier interview with The Wire, Cataldo said geothermal energy, which makes use of underground "hot spots," could yield "astronomical" savings for the state. It's a clean, efficient and economical source of energy, according to Cataldo; the only downside is the steep initial cost of constructing plants to harness the energy. The cost would be offset by future savings, he said.

The Energy and Economic Development committee will look at another environmental problem this week: mercury. The committee will examine HB 371, which would prohibit products containing mercury from being disposed of in landfills. The Senate Environmental and Wildlife Committee previously killed HB 562, which would have limited the sale and production of mercury-containing products like lamps, switches and mercury thermometers.

The House State Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee will weigh in on the Social Security debate this week. The committee will discuss a resolution asking the New Hampshire congressional delegation to support privatized Social Security retirement accounts. The resolution seems a bit unnecessary; each member of the state's congressional delegation has gone on record in support of President George W. Bush's plan to set up private accounts for Social Security.

Finally, the Senate gave the go-ahead last week to establish a committee to start the process of bringing Killington, Vt., into New Hampshire. All that stands in the way of New Hampshire swallowing up Killington is approval from both states' legislatures and the U.S. Congress.

All meetings are open to the public. For a full meeting schedule and the low-down on all voting results, visit the N.H. General Court's Web site: http://gencourt.state.nh.us.