ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026
What does the ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026 do?
HR 7574 is a House bill sponsored by Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO-8). Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a comprehensive plan within 120 days for reorganizing the Engagement, Liaison, and Outreach Office (ELO) inside the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) and realigning its essential functions and personnel into the Partner Engagement directorate of I&A. The plan must identify redundant or non-essential positions, programs, or functions; establish clear communication protocols with priority law enforcement agencies; centralize points of contact; enhance information-sharing; reduce outreach duplication across DHS components; and improve accountability and performance metrics. The Secretary must certify commencement of implementation within 60 days of starting the plan, and until both the plan is submitted and implementation is certified, the Secretary may not expand ELO's staffing, budget, or programmatic scope, nor establish new offices duplicating ELO's or the Partner Engagement directorate's mission without specific congressional authorization.
Did HR 7574 pass? Where it stands
As of July 17, 2026, HR 7574 has passed the House.
Status: Passed House
Latest vote: House Passed by voice vote on July 13, 2026
Outlook: Moderate
Key provisions
- 120-Day DHS Reorganization Plan
- Secretary must submit a comprehensive plan to the House Homeland Security Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
- Plan must identify redundant or non-essential ELO positions, programs, or functions
- Plan must realign ELO's essential functions and personnel within I&A's Partner Engagement directorate
- Coordination Requirements
- Establish clear communication protocols with priority law enforcement agencies
- Centralize points of contact for law enforcement engagement
- Enhance information-sharing mechanisms
- Reduce outreach duplication across DHS components
- Improve accountability and performance metrics related to stakeholder engagement
- Plan Content Requirements
- Organizational analysis with cost-benefit estimates
- Detailed staffing proposals, including reassignment plans
- Transition timeline for realignment within I&A's Partner Engagement directorate
- Internal oversight mechanisms to monitor implementation
- Recommendations for future engagement models
- Assurance of continuity of intelligence support and convenings to State, local, Tribal, and territorial (SLTT) entity partners, including relevant HSIN-INTEL access
- Certification and Freeze
- Certification of implementation commencement due within 60 days of starting the plan
- Until plan is submitted and implementation is certified, Secretary may not expand ELO's staffing, budget, or programmatic scope
- Secretary may not establish new offices duplicating ELO or Partner Engagement mission without specific congressional authorization
Last updated July 14, 2026