Bill > HR7574

This bill, the ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026, requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a comprehensive plan within 120 days to reorganize and realign the Engagement, Liaison, and Outreach (ELO) office, which is part of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The plan must identify and address any redundant or non-essential positions, programs, or functions within the ELO office, and then realign its essential functions and personnel into the Partner Engagement directorate of I&A. The goal is to improve the management and coordination of strategic relationships with key law enforcement agencies, which are defined as "priority law enforcement agencies" that the Secretary identifies as crucial partners for national security, counterterrorism, emergency response, or other critical operations. This improvement will be achieved by establishing clear communication protocols, centralizing points of contact for law enforcement engagement, enhancing information-sharing, reducing duplicated outreach efforts across DHS components, and improving accountability and performance metrics. The plan must also include an organizational analysis with cost-benefit estimates, detailed staffing and reassignment proposals, a transition timeline, internal oversight mechanisms, recommendations for future engagement models, and assurances that intelligence support and access to systems like HSIN-INTEL for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) entities will continue. The Secretary must also certify the commencement of the plan's implementation within 60 days of starting it, and until both the plan is submitted and implementation is certified, the Secretary is prohibited from expanding the ELO office's staffing, budget, or programmatic scope, or creating new offices that duplicate the ELO or Partner Engagement directorate's missions without specific congressional approval.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7574/all-info