Topeka ? A Kansas commission that will study ways to improve the operations of state courts holds its first meeting Wednesday in Topeka.

The Blue Ribbon Commission describes its planned session at the Kansas Judicial Center as an organizational meeting. The 24-member panel is led by state Court of Appeals Judge Patrick McAnany.

The Kansas Supreme Court created the commission to consider such issues as the number of court offices and their hours of operation. It will also look at using technology to reduce costs and increasing the court system’s flexibility in using staff.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss says the goal is to improve Kansans’ access to justice while delivering services as cost-effectively as possible.