AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers say it’s time to bring the state’s courts filing system up to date and approve a bill that would improve efficiency and provide better public access to court documents.

The Judiciary Committee held a public hearing Tuesday on a bill that would authorize funding for an electronic filing system for the state’s courts. A $15 million bond next spring would cover the costs.

Chief Justice Leigh Saufley urged lawmakers to approve the bill in her State of the Judiciary Address last week, saying the state’s courts currently handle files the same way they did 100 years ago.

The committee will vote on the bill, introduced by House Republican leader Ken Fedette on behalf of Republican Gov. Paul LePage, in the coming days.

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