-A proposed anti-abortion constitutional amendment, which declares that "the protection of unborn human life is a compelling state interest," tops the list of bills up for hearing this week at the Montana Legislature.

That measure, Senate Bill 46, by Sen. Dan McGee, R-Laurel, will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee at 9 a.m. on Wednesday in Room 303. It is expected to draw big crowds for and against the measure.

Here are some of the other hearings on major bills this week:

- American Indian symbol on state flag. On Friday, the Senate State Administration Committee hears testimony on SB358, by Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, to require Indian symbols on the state flag. It is at 3 p.m. in Room 358.

- End of oil and gas tax holiday. The Senate Taxation Committee on Thursday hears SB258, by Sen. Christine Kaufmann, D-Helena, to impose some oil and gas production taxes during what's now an 18-month tax holiday and raise about $23 million over the next two years. It will be at 8 a.m. in Room 405.

- Fault divorce. On Friday, the House Judiciary Committee takes testimony on HB419, by Rep. Tom McGillvray, R-Billings, to restore fault to what are now no-fault divorces in Montana. It is in Room 137 at 8 a.m.

- Higher income tax rates for top earners. The House Taxation Committee on Wednesday hears HB385, by Rep. Dave McAlpin, D-Missoula, to impose a new higher state income tax rate for Montanans with taxable income of nearly $250,000 annually or more. It is 8 a.m. in Room 152.

- K-12 distance learning. On Wednesday, the House Education Committee will take up HB459, by Rep. Wanda Grinde, D-Billings, to create and fund a $4.2 million K-12 distance learning network. The hearing is Wednesday in Room 137.

- Payday loans. The Senate Business Committee on Friday hears SB397, by Sen. Kim Gillan, D-Billings, to revise payday and title loan laws by capping interest rates and providing for repayment plants. It's at 9 a.m. in Room 422.

- Right to work. On Tuesday, the Senate Business Committee hears SB339, by Sen. Greg Hinkle, R-Thompson Falls, for a right-to-work law to ban the so-called "closed shop," which makes union membership a requirement for employment. It is at 9 a.m. in Room 422.

- Slaughterhouses. On Thursday, the House Agriculture Committee considers HB418, by Rep. Ed Butcher, R-Winifred, to authorize investor-owned slaughterhouses and packing plants in Montana. The hearing is at 3 p.m. in Room 472.

- State pancake. On Tuesday, the Senate Agriculture Committee digs into SB232, to designate the huckleberry whole wheat pancake as Montana's official pancake. Sen. Carolyn Squires, D-Missoula, is the sponsor, and the hearing is in Room 335 at 3 p.m.

- State park fee. On Tuesday, the House Fish and Game Committee seeks comments on HB51, by Rep. Dee Brown, R-Hungry Horse, to provide that people registering light vehicles may elect to pay, rather than choose not to pay, as is the present law, a $4-per-vehicle fee for state parks. The hearing is at 3 p.m. on Tuesday in Room 152.

- Student loan repayments. The Senate Taxation Committee on Friday considers SB304, by Sen. Roy Brown, R-Billings, to give a "keep our kids here" tax credit to employers to make student loan repayments on behalf of qualified employees who are graduates of Montana colleges and universities. It is at 8 a.m. in Room 405.

n Supreme Court districts. On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee hears SB333, by Sen. Joe Balyeat, R-Bozeman, to require Montana Supreme Court justices to be elected by regional districts rather than statewide. It is at 9 a.m. in Room 303.

- Term limits. The House State Administration Committee on Wednesday will hear testimony on HB458, a proposed constitutional amendment by Rep. Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena, to repeal term limits for legislators. It is at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

- Voter registration. On Friday, the Senate State Administration takes up SB320, by Rep. Carol Williams, D-Missoula, to prohibit per-signature payments for voter registration. It is at 3 p.m. in Room 335.