(a) In any action brought by the attorney general, in the name of the state, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and chapters 114C, 114E, and 116, for civil penalties, injunctive relief, or in an action to compel compliance, if the state shall finally prevail, and if the proven violation was willful, the state, in addition to other penalties provided in this chapter, may be allowed an amount determined by the court to be the reasonable value of all or a part of the litigation expenses incurred by the state. In determining the amount of such litigation expenses to be allowed, the court shall give consideration to the economic circumstances of the defendant.

(b) Amounts recovered under the provisions of this section and section 115.071, subdivisions 3 to 5, shall be paid into the environmental fund in the state treasury to the extent provided in section 115.073.