Opinion ID: 2773171
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: 3(a), (b).

Text: 25 contribution, the right to collect money from others jointly responsible for the costs.” Assemb. 3659 (Sponsor’s Statement), 204th Leg. (1991). However, the Spill Act had not set forth a contribution right. See ibid. Accordingly, the Legislature amended the Spill Act in 1991 expressly to “allow[] those parties who enter into an agreement with [DEP] to remove a hazardous discharge to seek contribution from those responsible parties who have not entered into such an agreement.” Ibid. The contribution provision of the Spill Act, which has not been significantly modified since its enactment, currently provides as follows: Whenever one or more dischargers or persons cleans up and removes a discharge of a hazardous substance, those dischargers and persons shall have a right of contribution against all other dischargers and persons in any way responsible for a discharged hazardous substance or other persons who are liable for the cost of the cleanup and removal of that discharge of a hazardous substance. In an action for contribution, the contribution plaintiffs need prove only that a discharge occurred for which the contribution defendant or defendants are liable pursuant to [N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11g(c)], and the contribution defendant shall have only the defenses to liability available to parties pursuant to [N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11g(d)]. In resolving contribution claims, a court may allocate the costs of cleanup and removal among liable parties using such equitable factors as the court determines are appropriate. [N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11f(a)(2)(a); see also L. 1991, c. 372, § 1 (enacting contribution provision).] 26 N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11g(c), which is cross-referenced in this contribution provision, provides that “any person who has discharged a hazardous substance, or is in any way responsible for any hazardous substance, shall be strictly liable, jointly and severally, without regard to fault, for all cleanup and removal costs,” while N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11g(d), which is also cross-referenced, provides that “an act or omission caused solely by war, sabotage, or God, or a combination thereof, shall be the only defenses which may be raised by any owner or operator of a major facility or vessel responsible for a discharge.”6