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Kapolei Middle School students visit the Capitol as the Legislature nears the end of its session.

People gather outside a packed room at the Capitol where House and Senate conferees worked to agree on the final language of bills to send to the governor.

Reps. Andria Tupola (right) and Karl Rhoads move to one side for staff members during a crowded joint House/Senate committee meeting at the Capitol. Lawmakers plow through hundreds of bills in the final weeks of the session.

Much of this joint House/Senate conference committee meeting was standing room only, as these representatives discovered.

Lobbyist Bob Toyofuku listens as House and Senate conferees discuss a health-care related bill.

House Speaker Joe Souki (left) shakes the hand of Vice Speaker John Mizuno, shortly before Mizuno announced that it was Souki’s birthday.

Rep. Sylvia Luke, chair of the Finance Committee, speaks to Speaker Joe Souki before a House floor session.

Rep. Betrand Kobayashi listens attentively to Rep. Della Au Bellati before a floor session begins.

Rep. Sylvia Luke, (center) chair of the Finance Committee, asks a question during a Judiciary conference committee meeting.

Sen. Gilbert Keith-Agaran, facing forward, listens during a Judiciary conference committee meeting.

Sen. Kaialii Kahele (center) reacts to a joke during a House/Senate conference committee meeting. Also visible are, from left to right, Sens. Keith-Agaran, Maile Shimabukuro and Donna Mercado Kim.

Rep. Jarrett Keohokalole (center) is flanked by Reps. Lauren Matsumoto (left)and Scott Nishimoto during a conference committee meeting.

Sen. Clarence Nishihara heads out of a conference committee meeting after a discussion of a bill relating to police body cameras.

Rep. Scott Nishimoto laughs during a light moment at a conference committee meeting.

Sen. Clarence Nishihara’s right hand grips the gavel during a conference committee meeting. Many of the decisions to reach agreement on the final language of bills are made behind closed doors and then announced during the public portions of the meetings.