In the end-of-session flurry of activity over the weekend, several pending pieces of legislation sponsored by Kenai Peninsula state lawmakers won legislative approval.

Rep. Mike Chenault, co-chair of the House Finance Committee, guided the $11.2 billion operating budget over its final hurdles. The final version of House Bill 310 increases spending over last year by 23 percent. But it also saved about $5 billion, among other things, paying back billions borrowed in recent lean years from the Constitutional Budget Reserve. Chenault's position also meant he had much to do with the success of other legislation covering school bond reimbursement and state lease-purchase agreements.

During floor debate Saturday, Chenault said despite the elevated numbers, the money would be put to good use.

"It is a good day for the state," he said. "The things that are funded are the three-legged foundation for our communities: education, revenue sharing and retirement, three issues we fixed over the course of the session. We are going to pay the price for them."

But his upbeat assessment included a warning.

"While we are fortunate to have current revenues to fund the needs of the state government, most of us know that in a few years, depending on production levels, spending levels and price of oil, we are going to be in an unsustainable time where we won't be able to sustain the budget."

Rep. Kurt Olson, R-Soldotna, saw two bills adopted in the last few days, including HB 357, an act requiring certain things of the real estate industry, including errors and omissions insurance, and amending certain procedures of the state Real Estate Commission, and HB 413, extending the Real Estate Commission through 2016.

Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, saw three bills pass in the final few days, including HB 25, which makes property owners immune from liability when they allow use of their lands for recreational purposes without charge, HB 289, which exempts employers from paying unemployment taxes for the temporary services of fishing vessel crewmembers engaged in spill response, and HB 294, establishing an Alaska Marine Transportation Advisory Board.