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SMR 3

IN RESPECTFUL MEMORY OF SENATOR UVALDE REX LINDSEY AND IN RECOGNITION OF HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AND TO HIS LOCAL COMMUNITY.

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

A Senate memorial honors Rex Lindsey’s life and public service, recognizing his leadership in budgeting, autism and disability advocacy, and Northwest Arkansas development.

Sine Die adjournment
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Bill Summary · SMR 3

Summary of Bill: SMR 3 (Session: 2026F, Arkansas)

Overview

  • Type: Senate Memorial Resolution (SMR)
  • Purpose: To honor and remember former Senator Uvalde Rex Lindsey and recognize his contributions to the State of Arkansas and his local community.
  • Status: Filed April 14, 2026; Read the first time with rules suspended, and placed on the calendar for second reading.

1) Main Purpose and Intent

  • The bill sets forth a formal Senate memorial to memorialize and honor the life, public service, and impact of Uvalde Rex Lindsey, who served in various public offices in Arkansas and contributed significantly to the Northwest Arkansas region.
  • It explicitly recognizes Lindsey’s leadership, policy work, and advocacy, particularly in areas related to state budgeting, autism and disability services, economic development, and infrastructure.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Acts as a formal Senate memorial rather than establishing new law or policy.
  • Provides a narrative on Lindsey’s life, including:
    • Personal background: birth in Harrison (Jan 17, 1940), military service in the U.S. Army Reserve (1962–1972), family life, and involvement with faith communities.
    • Business and career: by taking over Continental Auto Supply after his father’s passing, expanding the business to 18 stores across three states, and selling to O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. in 1982.
    • Public service:
    • Harrison City Council member (1972–198? period) with budget chair roles.
    • Executive Director of the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District (1985–199?); work on federal grants for rural transportation, aging services, and economic development.
    • Founding leader and long-time participant in the Northwest Arkansas Council; involvement in projects like Northwest Arkansas National Airport, Interstate 49, and the Two-Ton Regional Water District.
    • State legislative service: Arkansas House of Representatives (District 88) from 2008 to 2013, with various leadership roles.
    • Arkansas Senate (District 4) from 2013 to 2019; leadership roles including Chair positions on multiple committees and task forces (e.g., Personnel Subcommittee of the Legislative Council, Joint Budget Committee’s Personnel Subcommittee, Autism Task Force, and Special Education Best Practices Task Force).
    • Advocacy: widely noted for expertise in state budgeting and advocacy for children with autism and other disabilities.
  • Community and faith: active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Fayetteville) and involvement with St. John’s Episcopal Church (Harrison).
  • Family: survived by spouse Jo Dodson Lindsey, children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

3) Who or What Would Be Affected

  • Primarily a commemorative action by the Arkansas Senate.
  • No legal changes, policy shifts, or fiscal obligations imposed on government programs or entities.
  • Acknowledges Lindsey’s impact on:
    • State budget practices and fiscal policy.
    • Autism and disability services policy development.
    • Economic development efforts in Northwest Arkansas.
    • Key regional infrastructure projects (airports, highways, water infrastructure).

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Filing and introduction: April 14, 2026.
  • Immediate effect: Passage would result in a Senate memorial recognizing Lindsey and providing an official copy to his family, via the Secretary of the Senate.
  • Next steps: If adopted, the memorial serves as a formal acknowledgment and historical record within the Senate’s official actions.

5) Notable Details

  • The memorial is co-sponsored by a broad bipartisan slate of current Arkansas senators, reflecting Lindsey’s wide-ranging influence and respect across the chamber.
  • The memorial emphasizes Lindsey’s leadership roles and specific accomplishments in both local and state government, as well as his service to the region’s economic and infrastructural development.

This memo provides a concise, accessible overview of SMR 3, focusing on its intent to honor Rex Lindsey and document his contributions without imposing new policy or fiscal requirements.

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

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