H.B. No. 3648 introduces Chapter 162 to the Local Government Code, which grants counties with populations of 3.3 million or more the authority to manage employment matters for sheriff's department employees, excluding those that have adopted Chapter 174. The bill establishes a "meet and confer team" to represent department employees in negotiations concerning employment terms, such as wages and working conditions, while explicitly excluding pension-related issues. It outlines the process for recognizing this team as the exclusive bargaining agent, requiring a petition signed by a majority of employees and potentially a certification election. The team remains recognized until a majority of employees withdraw that recognition through a petition.

Furthermore, the bill allows registered voters to petition for the repeal of a meet and confer agreement, requiring signatures from at least 10 percent of the votes cast in the last general election. If the petition is validated, the commissioners court must call an election to decide on the repeal, which can coincide with the next general election. The bill ensures that existing employee benefits and rights are not repealed unless explicitly stated in a ratified agreement and protects the free speech rights of employees regarding their stance on any agreement. The provisions of H.B. No. 3648 are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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