HB 3648 grants large counties (3.3 million+ population) the authority to negotiate employment terms with sheriff’s department employees through a meet-and-confer process. It establishes a meet-and-confer team to negotiate on behalf of sheriff’s department employees excluding the sheriff. The bill outlines procedures for: Recognizing a meet-and-confer team through a petition or election; Negotiating wages, benefits, and working conditions (excluding pensions); Revoking recognition of the meet-and-confer team through a majority employee vote; Prohibiting strikes by department employees; Protecting payroll deductions for employee organization dues. The bill ensures any agreements are enforceable in state district court and allows voters to repeal agreements through petition-driven referendums.