HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Republicans rebuffed an attempt Monday by Democrats to limit GOP control of key state House committees for the upcoming legislative session, saying those decisions will left to the House speaker.

Democrats wanted to keeps Republican majorities on key committees, that dictate everything from state spending to education policy, to just one vote. But the House Rules Committee _ which has an equal number from each party _ deadlocked on the issue along party lines.

That leaves the issue to new House Speaker Scott Sales, R-Bozeman, who will be deciding committee assignments and will get to determine the partisan make up of the committees.

"We'll take your proposal under consideration," Sales told the Democrats.

Republican Floor Leader Michael Lange of Billings said Republicans have the majority and have the right to fashion committees to their distinct advantage.

Democrats and Republicans are still hashing out the rules for the sharply divided Legislature.

Republicans hold a 50-49 advantage over Democrats in the House, and also will have the vote of the one Constitution Party member on many issues. Democrats retain control of the Senate, but by just a 26-24 edge over Republicans.

Democrats said the close division in the House should be recognized on the committees.

"I think the division in the House is so close that it would more accurately reflect what the electorate did," said House Democratic Floor Leader Rep. Art Noonan of Butte.

In the 2005 session, when the House was split down the middle with 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats, each party shared power on committees.

But Republicans said rules and the partisan split on committees could look more like it did back in 2003.

Republicans back then had a slim 53-47 advantage, but took a firm 11-8 edge on the key House Appropriations Committee. Democrats at that time were also upset that they didn't have more committee seats.