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