ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026

This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a comprehensive plan within 120 days for the reorganization and realignment of the Department's Engagement, Liaison, and Outreach (ELO) Office. The plan must identify redundant or non-essential positions, programs, or functions within the ELO Office and detail how essential functions and personnel will be realigned within the Partner Engagement directorate of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A). The reorganization aims to significantly improve the management and coordination of strategic relationships with priority law enforcement agencies . This includes establishing clear communication protocols, centralizing points of contact, enhancing information-sharing mechanisms, reducing duplication of outreach across DHS components, and improving accountability and performance metrics for stakeholder engagement. The plan must also ensure the continuity of intelligence support and convenings for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) entity partners. Key requirements for the plan include an organizational analysis with cost-benefit estimates, detailed staffing proposals, a transition timeline, and internal oversight mechanisms. Furthermore, until the Secretary submits the required plan and certifies its implementation, the ELO Office is prohibited from expanding its staffing, budget, or programmatic scope, or establishing new offices that duplicate its mission without specific congressional authorization.