OKLAHMA CITY (AP) - Legislation planned by two state lawmakers would require a statewide vote of the people before any out-of-state sale of Oklahoma water.

Sen. Jerry Ellis of Valliant and Rep. Eric Proctor of Tulsa said Tuesday The People's Water Act would give Oklahomans the final say in water deals with other states.

Federal lawsuits have been filed in recent years by North Texas officials in an attempt to purchase water from southeastern Oklahoma streams. The lawsuits have been dismissed.

Ellis has opposed the sale of Oklahoma water to Texas. He says the future of Oklahoma water should not be decided in private meetings between politicians and Texans.

Proctor says the bill would take the power to sell Oklahoma water away from special-interest groups and give the final decision to the people.