Committee hears support for grants to help small Oregon rodeos upgrade facilities

Sen. Taylor, chair of the Senate Committee on Labor and Business, opened a public hearing on Senate Bill 771 on Feb. 25, 2025, drawing widespread support from rural lawmakers and community rodeo organizers. The measure would direct the Oregon Business Development Department (Business Oregon) to administer grants for capital expenses at community‑based rodeo organizations, appropriate $5,000,000 from the General Fund for the 2025‑27 biennium, set a $250,000 maximum grant award, limit eligibility to communities of under 12,000 people, and sunset on Jan. 2, 2027.

The bill’s sponsors and a string of supporters framed the proposal as a targeted investment in small‑town cultural and economic activity. “A lot of these rodeos are the big event that they have during the summer to draw in not only crowds from outside, but to celebrate what they do in their own community,” said Sen. Todd Nash (Senate District 29), who testified in support and described the bill’s origin in small communities such as Ukiah. Rep. Bobby Levy (House District 58) said the funds would help maintain events that “are pillars of their communities, drawing people from all over Oregon and beyond.”

Community witnesses described specific needs. Greg Leo, a volunteer who helped assemble a statewide map of rodeos, told the committee that 62 rodeos are identified on the Business Oregon map and estimated the number of small “community rodeos” in the 40s. Rodney Parker, vice president of the Ukiah Rodeo, said reusing the example from the bill’s origin, Ukiah would need roughly $279,000 to install an additional 1,000 bleacher seats. Bob and Theresa Wiles, with the Elgin Stampede, said they need funds to replace a community hall and replace haul equipment to sustain their long‑running event.

Supporters emphasized both cultural and economic benefits for rural towns, noting rodeos are used year‑round for community gatherings and junior rodeo programs. The bill has a subsequent referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Committee members asked clarifying questions about grant size and eligibility; Whitney, staff to the committee, and witnesses confirmed that the bill sets a $250,000 maximum grant and applies to communities with populations under 12,000. No formal vote was taken in the committee; the public hearing was closed after testimony and the measure remains under committee consideration.

Why it matters: The bill targets a narrow funding gap for rural community facilities that are both cultural institutions and local economic drivers. If enacted and funded through Ways and Means, grants could accelerate needed safety and accessibility improvements at small rodeo venues that lack other capital resources.