(2) If the court determines that a petition filed under this section is frivolous or the court does not compel the filing of any statement, the candidate, treasurer or person against whom the petition was filed is entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees at trial and on appeal. [1971 c.749 §20; 1973 c.744 §20; 1979 c.190 §359; 1985 c.808 §60; 1989 c.571 §1; 1993 c.493 §76; 1999 c.999 §16; 2001 c.82 §7; 2003 c.542 §18; 2005 c.809 §40; 2009 c.818 §14; 2013 c.758 §10]