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SMR 4

IN RESPECTFUL MEMORY OF REPRESENTATIVE STANLEY JACK "STAN" BERRY AND IN RECOGNITION OF HIS MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AND TO HIS LOCAL COMMUNITY.

2026 Fiscal Session Introduced by Justin Boyd and 34 co-sponsors

The bill memorializes Stan Berry for lifelong public service in Dover and Arkansas, honoring his dedication to education, local government, and state governance.

Sine Die adjournment
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SMR 4

Summary: SMR 4 (2026) – In Respectful Memory of Representative Stanley Jack "Stan" Berry

Overview

  • Type: Senate Memorial Resolution (SMR)
  • Session/Jurisdiction: Arkansas, 95th General Assembly, Fiscal Session 2026
  • Authors/Sponsors: Prime sponsor and multiple co-sponsors from the Senate (list included in bill text)
  • Purpose: To honor and memorialize the life, public service, leadership, and contributions of former Arkansas State Representative Stanley Jack “Stan” Berry, particularly highlighting his service to Dover, Pope County, and the State of Arkansas.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • The bill serves as a formal tribute recognizing the life and extensive public service of Stan Berry, who passed away on March 23, 2026, at age 71.
  • It emphasizes Berry’s commitment to community, education, and state governance, and it memorializes his impact on both his local community (Dover, Pope County) and the state legislature.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Statement of Respect and Recognition: The resolution provides a commemorative narrative detailing Berry’s birth (May 20, 1954, in Dover), family background, public roles, and community honors.
  • Public Service Record Highlighted:
    • Early service in the Arkansas National Guard.
    • Local government roles: Dover School Board, Dover City Council, Tri-County Water Commission, Pope County 911 Board.
    • Longstanding involvement with the Dover Lions Club (over 37 years; charter member; Melvin Jones Fellow) and advocacy for Dover schools.
    • Legislative service: Represented District 44 from 2003–2007 and again from 2019 until his passing in 2026.
    • Committee work: Served on numerous committees, including the Joint Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs, the House Committee on Public Transportation, the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs, and the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee in the Ninety-Fifth General Assembly.
    • Leadership roles: Held chair and vice-chair positions, including Vice Chair of the Judiciary Committee (Ninety-Fourth General Assembly), and Chair positions for the Juvenile Justice and Child Support Subcommittee and the Educational Institutions section of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee (Ninety-Third General Assembly).
  • Education and Community Impact: Emphasizes Berry’s advocacy for education and support of Dover High School and educators, including his wife and daughters.
  • Personal and Family References: Notes Berry’s surviving spouse Mona Berry, children Blake Berry, Casey Taylor, Justin Singleton, Kelsey Scott, and nine grandchildren.
  • Affirmation of Legacy: Declares the people of District 44 and Arkansas benefited from his service as a state representative.

Who or What Is Affected

  • Direct Beneficiaries: The Berry family (for purposes of the memorial) and the broader Dover community and District 44 population, through formal recognition by the Arkansas Senate.
  • Institutional Impact: No changes to law, policy, or statutory provisions are proposed. The measure is ceremonial and commemorative.
  • Recipients of the Memorial: An appropriate copy of the resolution will be provided to Mona Berry and Berry family by the Secretary of the Senate upon adoption.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Filed and placed on the calendar after the first reading, with rules suspended for the second reading.
  • Adoption: Requires passage by the Arkansas Senate to memorialize Stan Berry formally.
  • Effective Date: As a memorial resolution, it typically becomes part of the official Senate record upon adoption; no external operational timeline or implementation actions are imposed.

Notable Details

  • The bill includes a comprehensive biographical and service-oriented tribute, reflecting Berry’s impact across local government, education, veterans’ affairs, and state governance.
  • A long list of sponsors and co-sponsors from both chambers (primarily Senate members) underscores broad legislative support for acknowledging Berry’s public service.

If you’d like, I can condense this into an one-paragraph briefing or expand any section with specific dates or committee assignments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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