The General Assembly finds that the emergency response in all communities that respond to emergency incidents, particularly transportation related, may result in the community incurring expenses that cannot be readily absorbed without financial assistance. While responsible parties frequently reimburse responders for expended supplies and other costs incurred in response actions, it may require long periods of time to determine liability and costly litigation to recover costs incurred. During these time delays, communities may not be financially capable of replacing supplies, leaving the community unprotected in case of other incidents. Therefore; it is the intent of the General Assembly to establish the Hazardous Material Emergency Reimbursement Fund to alleviate the financial hardships imposed upon any community that responds to emergency incidents involving hazardous materials.