A proposal to turn northeastern Kansas into a national heritage area celebrating the area’s Civil War history has passed the U.S. Senate.

The Senate approved the Bleeding Kansas National Heritage Area Tuesday. Judy Billings, director of the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau, said she hopes the House will approve the bill by the end of the week.

Twenty-six counties, including Douglas County, would be included in the designation, which would provide federal funds to develop historic sites. The bill would provide $10 million over the next 15 years, and Billings said the money could be used to attract private dollars for historic preservation and interpretation.

The bill also was written to allow 12 counties in Missouri to be included in the historic area, if the counties and the group pushing for the designation agree.

There are currently 27 national heritage areas. The bill would add nine new heritage areas, including the one in Kansas.