JACKSON — The Mississippi Senate on Monday passed a bill that would transfer ownership of the Natchez Visitor Reception Center and City of Natchez-owned Forks of the Road property to the National Park Service.

State Sen. Bob Dearing, D-Natchez, introduced the bill at the request of Natchez officials who said transferring ownership of the visitor’s center would relieve the city of the financial burden of operating and maintaining the facility.

The measure will now go on to the Mississippi House of Representatives for consideration.