PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – The South Dakota House of Representatives has rejected a plan that would have created a new committee to deal with American Indian issues during legislative sessions.

The State-Tribal Relations Committee now meets during the months the Legislature is not in session. It studies issues involving relations between the state and the Sioux tribes.

Democratic Rep. Ed Iron Cloud of Pine Ridge sought to change the House rules so the committee could meet during legislative sessions. His proposal failed on a party-line vote as the Republican majority opposed it.

Opponents say there is no need to add another House committee. But Iron Cloud says the committee should meet during legislative sessions to improve communication between the state and tribes.