AUGUSTA — A legislative committee voted late Wednesday against a bill that sought to place a modified hiring freeze in state government.

The State and Local Government Committee voted unanimously in opposition to the bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Sawin Millett, R-Waterford.

The bill required all General Fund and Highway Fund positions to be kept open at least until May 15. It did allow the heads of the three branches of government to approve filling some of the positions.

The committee voted against the bill because the state already has a hiring freeze in place, said Rep. Teresa Hayes, D-Buckfield. When the committee examined the open positions, it found many of the positions had been open for more than six months, which shows the freeze is working, she said.

Barring extraordinary circumstances, the bill is dead for this legislative session.