NJ S3239

Creates an exemption to New Jersey's ban on importing woodchucks from states where non-raccoon rabies variants are endemic, specifically allowing counties and municipalities to import groundhogs for Groundhog Day celebrations when their existing groundhog has died

Requires that efforts first be made to obtain a replacement woodchuck from within New Jersey or from a state without endemic non-raccoon rabies before importing from restricted states

Directs the Division of Fish and Wildlife to notify all counties and municipalities of this exemption, provide replacement guidelines, and establish procedures for relocating woodchucks within the state or authorizing out-of-state imports

Requires the Division to recommend safer source states for imports and establish requirements for proper housing and handling of woodchucks in county or municipal custody

Clarifies that "groundhog" and "woodchuck" refer to the same animal, Marmota monax, and may be used interchangeably