A person who intentionally provides the department or causes to be given to the department false or misleading information that results in an unnecessary search and rescue effort or prolongs an ongoing search and rescue effort is subject to a civil penalty of up to the cost of providing the search and rescue service, payable to the State. This penalty is recoverable in a civil action. The State may also recover the cost of bringing the action, including a reasonable attorney’s fee. [PL 1997, c. 300, §1 (NEW).]