Topeka ? The Kansas judicial branch wants to offset proposed budget cuts by raising docket fees.

It’s asking the Legislature to end a ban on such fees.

The request is a reaction to a 3.4 percent across-the-board cut that a Senate committee has suggested to plug a deficit in the current state budget. The proposal would mean a nearly a $4 million cut for the courts.

Unlike other areas of state government, about 98 percent of the judicial budget is for salaries.

The Senate Judiciary Committee plans a Feb. 5 hearing on legislation to eliminate the fee ban.

Committee Chairman Tim Owens said he thinks it’s a good idea. He said the alternative would be furloughing court employees throughout the state which would create a backlog in cases.