HELENA (AP) -- House Republicans on Friday introduced their version of a bill that would set up a relief fund for Montana military families.

The Montana Democratic Party criticized the measure, which it said was virtually identical to a bill introduced in January by Rep. Julie French, D-Scobey, at the request of the governor. That bill has sat in the GOP-controlled House Appropriations Committee since its hearing, despite an attempt by French last week to ''blast'' it out of committee and onto the House floor for a full vote.

The GOP bill, sponsored by Rep. Alan Olson of Roundup, was drafted earlier this month and introduced Thursday.

Both bills provide one-time grants to deployed Montana National Guard members and their families for financial emergencies and other expenses. Olson's bill would also apply to Reserve members.

Democrats suggested Republican committee members planned to kill French's bill and replace it with the GOP version, a move they decried as unfair, but Committee Chairman Rep. John Sinrud, R-Bozeman, instead appointed two lawmakers to work out differences between the measures. A vote was planned Saturday.

''I would certainly hope this doesn't turn into a turf battle,'' Olson said of the two bills. ''I think we all realize ... that sometimes politics gets in the way of good legislation.''

Olson's bill is House Bill 848. French's bill is House Bill 179.