ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7574 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 7574

 To provide for the reorganization and realignment of the Engagement, 
 Liaison, and Outreach Office of the Department of Homeland Security, 
                        and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 13, 2026

Mr. Evans of Colorado introduced the following bill; which was referred 
                 to the Committee on Homeland Security

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To provide for the reorganization and realignment of the Engagement, 
 Liaison, and Outreach Office of the Department of Homeland Security, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``ELO Realignment and Strategic 
Engagement Reform Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. PLAN FOR REORGANIZATION AND REALIGNMENT OF DHS ENGAGEMENT, 
              LIAISON, AND OUTREACH OFFICE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a 
comprehensive plan to carry out the following:
            (1) An identification of redundant or non-essential 
        positions, programs, or functions within the Engagement, 
        Liaison, and Outreach office, including how reorganization of 
        the Office will address such redundant or non-essential 
        positions, programs, or functions.
            (2) Realign the essential functions and personnel of the 
        ELO Office within the Partner Engagement directorate of I&A.
            (3) Improve the management and coordination of strategic 
        relationships with priority law enforcement agencies, including 
        by carrying out the following:
                    (A) Establishing clear communication protocols.
                    (B) Centralizing points of contact for law 
                enforcement engagement.
                    (C) Enhancing information-sharing mechanisms.
                    (D) Reducing duplication of outreach across 
                Department of Homeland Security components.
                    (E) Improving accountability and performance 
                metrics related to stakeholder engagement.
    (b) Plan Requirements.--The plan required under subsection (a) 
shall include the following:
            (1) Organizational analysis justifying the reorganization 
        and realignment, including cost-benefit estimates, under 
        paragraph (1) of such subsection.
            (2) Detailed staffing proposals, including reassignment 
        plans.
            (3) A transition timeline for implementing the realignment 
        within the Partner Engagement directorate of I&A, in accordance 
        with paragraph (2) of such subsection.
            (4) Internal oversight mechanisms to monitor implementation 
        of such plan.
            (5) Recommendations for future engagement models that 
        reduce redundancy and improve efficiency in managing law 
        enforcement and homeland security partnerships with priority 
        law enforcement agencies.
            (6) Assurance of continuity of intelligence support and 
        convenings currently being provided to SLTT entity partners 
        through the ELO office, including relevant HSIN-INTEL access.
    (c) Certification.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit 
to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate a certification not later than 60 days after commencing 
implementation of the plan required under subsection (a).
    (d) Limitation on Expansion.--Until such time as the Secretary of 
Homeland Security submits the plan required under subsection (a) and 
certifies commencement of the implementation of such plan under 
subsection (c), the Secretary may not--
            (1) expand the staffing, budget, or programmatic scope of 
        the ELO Office; or
            (2) establish new offices in the Department duplicating the 
        mission of the ELO Office or the Partner Engagement directorate 
        of I&A without specific congressional authorization.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
        Department of Homeland Security.
            (2) ELO office.--The term ``ELO Office'' means the 
        Engagement, Liaison, and Outreach office within the Office of 
        Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) of the Department of Homeland 
        Security.
            (3) I&A.--The term ``I&A'' means the Office of Intelligence 
        and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Homeland Security.
            (5) SLTT entity.--The term ``SLTT entity'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 2200 of the Homeland Security Act of 
        2002 (6 U.S.C. 650).
            (6) Priority law enforcement agencies.--The term ``priority 
        law enforcement agencies'' means Federal, State, and local law 
        enforcement agencies identified by the Secretary as key 
        partners for national security, counterterrorism, emergency 
        response, or other mission-critical operations.
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