Legislative findings and intent.

The Legislature finds that the number of asbestos-related claims has increased significantly in recent years and threatens the continued viability of a number of uniquely situated companies that have not ever manufactured, sold, or distributed asbestos or asbestos products and are liable only as successor corporations. This liability has created an overpowering public necessity to provide an immediate, remedial, legislative solution. The Legislature intends that the cumulative recovery by all asbestos claimants from innocent successors be limited, and intends to simply change the form of asbestos claimants’ remedies without impairing their substantive rights, and finds that there are no alternative means to meet this public necessity. The Legislature finds the public interest as a whole is best served by providing relief to these innocent successors so that they may remain viable and continue to contribute to this state.