As usually is the case during the final week of the West Virginia Legislature's annual regular session, important bills have not yet been sent to the governor for his signature.
That is not a reflection on either legislative leaders or lawmakers as a group. They work hard and already have accomplished much.
Still, some of what remains on their plates merits concentrated attention this week.
Two bills in particular should be put on fast tracks to full approval:
Investigations of the 2010 Upper Big Branch mine explosion, which killed 29 men, have made it clear more needs to be done to keep mines safe. Much of that will be done at the federal level - but better state regulations are needed, too.
As members of the House debated the bill, many - far too many - had personal stories to tell and talked about friends, relatives or acquaintances who died in coal mines. We pray our children and grandchildren do not have to bear such grief.
But without better mine safety rules - and improved enforcement - death in the mines will continue to be a part of coal production.
Critics have said the House bill leaves much to be desired. Perhaps so. But leaders in that body are convinced it will save lives.
That ought to be enough for the state Senate. It should approve the bill, too.
Much of the current emphasis on judging teachers by how their students do on standardized tests is changed by the proposal. While legislators will have to keep their eyes on the program to ensure it does a good job of gauging which teachers are performing adequately and which are not, they should approve the new system.
In doing so, they will allow the state Department of Education to obtain a waiver from requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind law - which has been a dismal failure.
No doubt some important legislation will remain unfinished when legislators wrap up their session on Saturday. These two bills should not be allowed to languish, however.
