N.J. Stat. § 1:6-11
Whenever there shall be filed with the clerk of a municipality or the clerk of the board of chosen freeholders of a county a petition signed by at least twenty per centum (20%) or fifteen thousand, whichever is less, of the registered voters of the municipality or county requesting the filing of a petition with the Legislature for the passage of a private, special or local law regulating the internal affairs of the municipality or of the county and specifying the general nature of the law sought to be passed, the clerk shall examine the same and ascertain whether or not it is signed by the requisite number of registered voters and, within ten days after the filing thereof, shall attach his certificate thereto showing the result of such examination and submit the same to the governing body of the municipality or board of chosen freeholders of the county.
N.J.S. § 1:6-11