DETROIT, MI -- A bill that seeks to protect the Detroit Institute of Arts collection as the city restructures its debt was approved by the Senate Government Operations Committee on Tuesday.

As Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr looks to address the city's $15 billion long-term debt, he has been exploring the value of the museum's top masterpieces in what Gov. Rick Snyder has called a fiduciary responsibility to notify creditors of all the city's assets.

Orr's spokesperson Bill Nowling has said repeatedly that Orr doesn't want to sell the museum's collection, but is obligated to itemize all city assets.

Still, the remote possibility of selling the multibillion collection, which includes Vincent Van Gogh's 1887 self-portrait, "The Wedding Dance" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder and "Madonna and Child" by Giovanni Bellini, has sparked outrage nationwide.

The legislation, introduced last week by Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) would create another of many obstacles standing in the way of any effort to sell the collection.

Specifically, Senate Bill 401 would amend the Art Institute Authorities Act to require Michigan museums to adhere to the American Alliance of Museums' code of ethics, requiring that sales are used "solely for the advancement of the museum's mission."

(Read the full Senate committee summary here .)

The approval moves bill to the full Senate for consideration.

Follow Khalil AlHajal on Twitter @DetroitKhalil or on Facebook at Detroit Khalil. He can be reached at kalhajal@mlive.com or 313-643-0527.