OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A legislative plan to shore up Oklahoma's underfunded pension systems by requiring any cost-of-living increases to be funded by the Legislature received final approval on Tuesday and is heading to the governor's desk.

The Oklahoma House voted 64-25 for the bill that is expected to immediately reduce the state's total unfunded liability among its five largest pension systems by more than $5 billion. Actuarial studies have determined Oklahoma's pension systems have a $16.5 billion unfunded liability, which is the amount owed to pensioners beyond what the systems can afford to pay.

"We are on an unsustainable path," said Rep. Randy McDaniel, R-Edmond, who carried the bill on the floor for House Speaker Kris Steele. "The best way to get out of a ditch is to stop digging."