HARRISBURG -- State lawmakers return here Monday to start the so-called lame-duck session where the fate of hundreds of bills will be decided in two short and hectic weeks.

The lame-duck session is a time for departing lawmakers to deliver farewells and caucus leaders to be chosen. The brief session can produce compromises on knotty legislative issues, as well as surprises, as lawmakers seek shortcuts to pass bills before they die at the end of the session Nov. 30. Bills that don't make it to the governor's desk have to be reintroduced in the new session that starts in January and go through another two-year consideration process. Lame-duck sessions can also be times of mischief as was the case two years ago when a controversial sports-stadium aid bill was passed, but then vetoed by Gov. Tom Ridge because of flaws in its provisions.

Republicans retain control of the General Assembly next session so there won't be quite the urgency to take up some partisan issues as there would if the Democrats had won the House. But there could be drama at the top with Senate Majority Leader Joseph Loeper, R-Delaware, calling up bills at the Senate rostrum despite his pleading guilty this week to a federal tax violation.

Loeper plans to resign his seat at year's end. House Majority Leader John Perzel, R-Philadelphia, faces a recount Monday in his close election race.

Here are some issues lawmakers could take up:

Prescription drugs:

House Republicans passed their version of a plan to expand prescription drug coverage for low-income seniors citizens prior to the election recess, but the Senate and Ridge have their own ideas about this issue of great importance to a major voting constituency.

Tobacco settlement money:

Ridge wants lawmakers to enact his six-point proposal to spend the $400 million that Pennsylvania has received from a multi-state settlement with the tobacco industry to settle lawsuits claiming the industry is responsible for public-health spending to deal with smoking-related illnesses. Ridge wants to use $160 million -- or 40 percent -- of that payout to provide health coverage for 100,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians. The four legislative caucuses have crafted their own proposals for spending the money.

Dorm sprinklers:

The House has passed legislation mandating automatic sprinklers in college dormitories for fire safety. The bill establishes a $125 million state loan pool to help higher education institutions finance the cost. The Senate wants to review a cost/benefits study by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, due any time, before it votes on the issue.

Legislative pension hike:

There is buzz that lawmakers will raise their pension package perhaps by up to 50 percent. Currently, a lawmaker, elected after 1974 and having served 10 years and reaching the age of 50, is eligible for a pension of $12,000 annually. For 20 years service, the annual pension is $24,000.

Opportunity zones:

The House has passed legislation to expand the Keystone Opportunity Zones program. The state created its first opportunity zones last year where state and local governments waive taxes in order to encourage business investment and it is credited for creating 5,000 jobs.

School sports:

The Senate has passed legislation to bring greater accountability to the independent organization overseeing high school scholastic sports events.