; (B) to ensure a timely decision; (C) to mediate the dispute; or (D) to refer the matter to the President. (d) Application processing (1) In general Federal and State agencies may allow an applicant seeking a Federal authorization to fund a third-party contractor selected by the Federal or State agency to assist in reviewing the application. (2) Direct funding for expedited consideration (A) In general Beginning in fiscal year 2018, a Federal or State agency may accept and expend funds contributed by a license applicant seeking a Federal authorization to carry out an activity that directly and meaningfully contributes to expediting the consideration by the agency of the application. (B) Relation to existing discretionary funds Any funds received by an agency under this paragraph may be used only to carry out activities that would not otherwise occur within the same timeframe using discretionary funds provided in appropriations Acts. (3) Consideration of costs Any costs associated with a third-party contractor under paragraph (1), and any expenditure of funds received by an agency under paragraph (2), shall not be considered costs of the United States for the administration of this part under section 10(e). (4) Effect on application consideration In carrying out this subsection, the Commission or an applicable agency shall ensure that the use of license applicant funds under paragraph (1) or (2) will not impact impartial decisionmaking with respect to the responsibilities of the agency, either substantively or procedurally, under this part or any other Federal law, consistent with the regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) under parts 1500 through 1508 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (5) Voluntary funding Nothing in this subsection requires or compels a license applicant— (A) to fund a third-party contractor under paragraph (1)