Restoring State, Tribal, and Local Law Enforcement's Access to Life-Saving Equipment and Resources
Signed: August 28, 2017
Published: August 31, 2017
Document Number: 2017-18679
📋Summary
This executive order revokes Executive Order 13688 (issued in 2015), which had set limits and recommendations on how federal programs support state, tribal, and local law enforcement in acquiring certain equipment. It affects federal departments and agencies that provide equipment or related support, as well as state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies that receive that support. It directs federal agencies to stop following the prior recommendations immediately and to quickly roll back any rules, guidelines, or policies they put in place to implement them. It also notes that agencies must act within existing law and available funding, and that the order does not create enforceable legal rights for any party.
💼Business Impact
This order most directly affects companies that sell, lease, finance, or service law-enforcement equipment (e.g., tactical vehicles, protective gear, firearms/accessories, surveillance/communications, training, and maintenance), as well as manufacturers and distributors that previously faced tighter federal constraints under EO 13688. By revoking EO 13688 and its recommendations, it can expand procurement opportunities through federal-to-local transfer programs and related purchasing, but vendors should still expect compliance with existing federal acquisition rules, program-specific requirements (e.g., 1033/DOJ or DHS grant conditions), and heightened documentation/audit scrutiny from agencies and local governments. Immediate actions: review your product catalog against items previously restricted, refresh bid/contract pipelines with state/local/tribal agencies, and update compliance packages (end-use certifications, recordkeeping, training/support plans) to align with current program guidance and grant eligibility. Businesses should also monitor agency rescissions/updated policies in the weeks following implementation, because practical buying rules will change via revised department guidelines rather than the EO alone.
Full Text
Executive Order 13809 of August 28, 2017
Restoring State, Tribal, and Local Law Enforcement's Access to Life-Saving Equipment and Resources
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1 . Revocation of Executive Order 13688.Executive Order 13688 of January 16, 2015 (Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition), is hereby revoked.
Sec. 2 . Revocation of Recommendations Issued Pursuant to Executive Order 13688. The recommendations issued pursuant to Executive Order 13688 do not reflect the policy of the executive branch. All executive departments and agencies are directed, as of the date of this order and consistent with Federal law, to cease implementing those recommendations and, if necessary, to take prompt action to rescind any rules, regulations, guidelines, or policies implementing them.
Sec. 3 . General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
( printed page 41500)(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
August 28, 2017.