Local Government Grant Program

Background:

The Local Government Grant Program (LGGP), administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), provides financial assistance to local governments for the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of public outdoor recreation opportunities throughout Oregon. The program is governed by Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) chapter 736, division 006, which establishes program eligibility requirements, grant administration standards, scoring criteria, and match requirements.

During the 2026 legislative session, the Legislature adopted changes through Senate Bill 1585 affecting local government grant match requirements for certain communities. OPRD has identified the need to update the LGGP rules to ensure consistency with these legislative changes and to accurately reflect current program administration.

Summary of Proposed Rule Updates

The proposed rulemaking is limited in scope and intended to align existing LGGP administrative rules with legislative changes adopted through Senate Bill 1585. Proposed revisions would add language clarifying that cities with populations under 20,000 qualify for reduced match requirements as provided by state law. The amendment is intended to ensure consistency between administrative rule and statute while preserving the existing structure and administration of the Local Government Grant Program.

Staff does not anticipate broader policy or programmatic changes as part of this rulemaking effort. The proposed updates are administrative in nature and intended to maintain consistency with state law while providing clear guidance to applicants and program participants.