ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Some of the more contentious items remaining for the last day of Session 2005 -- including an embryonic stem cell research bill and a bill giving unmarried couples power to make medical decisions for their partners -- remained unresolved as lawmakers headed into the final hours of the session.

A threatened filibuster has so far kept that bill off the Senate floor, but it has a chance of making it into debate Monday, according to Senate President Mike Miller.

Baltimore County Sen. Paula Hollinger, D-District 11, who leads the committee that approved the bill, has been pressuring senators for support and trying to secure the votes to stop a filibuster.

Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich, for the first time since the start of the session, said publicly Saturday that he "supports embryonic stem cell research."

After the interview on WBAL AM, Hollinger said she hopes Republicans will take the governor's declaration as a cue to support the legislation.

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The bill's supporters staged a last-minute news conference outside the State House in a push for passage of the legislation. Senators were trying to gain enough votes to stop the threatened filibuster, enlisting the help of Montgomery County Executive Douglas Duncan and Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley.

WBAL-TV 11 News reporter David Collins said this issue will put significant scrutiny on the Senate as it continues its debate through the evening.

A bill that would stiffen penalties for harming a fetus during an attack on a pregnant woman also was unresolved and set for debate Monday.

Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest Session 2005 updates.