When an action or proceeding is instituted in the name of the state on the relation or petition of any citizen, such relator or petitioner is entitled to, and liable for, costs and disbursements in the same cases and to the same extent as if such action or proceeding had been instituted in the relator's or petitioner's own name.
Minn. Stat. § 549.15
(9483) RL s 4350; 1986 c 444