Bryant’s signing was announced late Wednesday by Sen. Josh Harkins (R-Flowood), who championed and sponsored the bill to replace the existing five-member airport board, with a nine-member commission. The city of Jackson currently selects the commissioners. The new law takes effect July 1. Five of the nine commissioners will be selected from the Jackson city by a combination from the governor, lieutenant Governor and Jackson officials. Harkins posted on Facebook, “I believe this will have great impact on both the future of our airfield and its economic impact in our state.” Officials from Jackson and Airport have stated that they are investigating the possibility of challenging the constitution of the law in court, but have not provided a timeline. WLBT reported that the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority started a petition drive to gather 10,000 signatures by May 31st. Officials from the airport authority plan to submit the petitions to Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees all of the country’s airports. According to the petition, the state is accused of “disregarding Jackson’s airports and disrespecting the exemplary leadership and the airport enterprises and is forcibly trying take the ownership by changing its boards.” Jeffery Stallworth, a local pastor, filed a federal suit against the state in late April to stop the airport change.