AUGUSTA — Legislative leaders have voted to allow the Maine Public Broadcasting Network to provide expanded State House coverage that could resemble the national C-SPAN.

The new venture was unanimously approved Tuesday by the House and Senate leaders. The free over-the-air MPBN State House TV channel is devoted exclusively to coverage of the Legislature and government affairs. Airing could begin as early as Monday.

The plan is to transmit House and Senate proceedings, and budget hearings live. Coverage of news conferences and other State House events is also planned.

Veteran State House reporter Mal Leary will oversee operations of MPBN’s new State House channel. The programming comes at no public cost and will be carried by state cable services and over the air.