Senator Josh Harkins (R-Flowood) sponsored the legislation and said he was open to the amendments made to Senate Bill 2162 by a House Committee on February 22. He will recommend to the Senate that they accept the changes and send Bryant the bill for his signature. When considering an amendment to a House bill, Senate members often rely on the opinions of the bill sponsor. Harkins’ original bill replaced Jackson airport authority (now five members) with a nine-member commission, which was appointed by Jackson mayor. The bill was amended to make the new board consist of nine members. However, most of the picks would be from Jackson. Harkins stated to Mississippi Today that he would agree with the House version passed March 24. If Harkins and his Senate colleagues are in agreement, the bill will not have to be sent to a conference committee to allow the two chambers to resolve differences. Instead, Bryant could sign it directly. Harkins stated, “I’m okay with the changes if they help quell this thing about Jackson having a majority in the picks.” Since January, the airport bill has been a hot topic and has been the subject of hours of debate in both chambers. House Democrats launched a mini-rebellion last week to demand that every bill be read over what they claimed was a broken promise by Speaker Philip Gunn (R-Clinton) to kill the airport bill. Gunn claimed that Democrats used delay tactics to cost taxpayers more than $30,000 each day the House’s work was not completed. Although Harkins supported the bill’s speedy passage to Bryant, Jackson officials have pledged to challenge the law before the court. This could prove costly for Jackson and the state, and may take many years to resolve. Mississippi Today was told last week by Rep. Chris Bell (D-Jackson), that it would be foolish to spend money fixing something that isn’t broken. Shelia Byrd was a Jackson spokeswoman and did not comment immediately on the House’s passing of the bill. — SB2161 at the glance Members of Jackson Airport Authority (as amended by the House) The Adjutant general of the Mississippi National Guard or his designee Executive director of Mississippi Development Authority or his designee One commissioner was appointed by Jackson City Council for an immediate term of one-year One commissioner was appointed by the Jackson City Council to serve a term of two years. One commissioner was appointed by Madison County Board of Supervisors for a term of three years. Two commissioners are appointed by the Rankin County Board of Supervisors to serve a four-year term. One must hold a valid FAA pilot’s license. For a period not exceeding five years, one commissioner is appointed by Jackson’s lieutenant governor.