Increases flexibility, clarity, and available tools of certain municipal consolidation processes.

S 3003 modernizes New Jersey's municipal consolidation process by increasing flexibility and clarity in how municipalities can merge. The bill allows non-contiguous municipalities to consolidate if within a reasonable distance, creates Municipal Consolidation Study Commissions with specific requirements, and requires voter approval in each participating municipality for any consolidation plan. It clarifies processes for property tax equalization, debt apportionment, and provides protections for law enforcement and firefighter employees during consolidation. The bill also updates rules for sparsely populated municipalities (with populations under 1,000), requiring voter approval for those with populations under 100. This legislation directly affects New Jersey municipalities considering consolidation and their residents who would vote on such proposals.