The Kansas Supreme Court is launching an initiative to centralize and standardize the electronic filing and storage of documents across the state.

A steering committee for the “eCourt” project was having its first meeting Thursday in Topeka. The Supreme Court established the committee in April.

The project is being financed with court fees, with at least $4.1 million set aside over the next four years.

Some district courts introduced electronic filing in 2009, and more than half of the state’s 31 judicial districts allow attorneys and court employees to file and store documents electronically.

In Douglas County, electronic filing is required, and the Supreme Court and state Court of Appeals will start requiring it in November.

But the Supreme Court wants to standardize filing systems so they can interact.