###### Public Policy
ADS established a political action committee (PAC) to provide opportunities for employees to participate in the American political process. The Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. PAC (ADS PAC) is a nonpartisan organization run and overseen by ADS employees. When choosing to contribute to a candidate, the ADS PAC considers candidates' views on issues that impact ADS and its employees as well as the presence of ADS facilities or employees in the candidate's district or state. The PAC executive board made up of ADS employees reviews and approves all recommendations for PAC contributions.
In Fiscal 2022, the Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. PAC contributed $26,900 toward political candidates and organizations. ADS has not contributed corporate funds or dollars to any political institution. Additional information on the Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. PAC contributions can be found at www.fec.gov.
###### Primary Objectives
The ADS PAC has three primary objectives that guide its political donations. The objectives reflect betterment of society, in addition to supporting Advanced Drainage Systems' interests.
**1. FOSTERING OPEN COMPETITION FOR MATERIALS**
Current legislation gives states the autonomy to bid and select a single material for culvert pipes (which includes stormwater pipe). Culvert pipes are the only product within the Federal Highway Code to have an exclusion from federal oversight in the procurement process. The ADS PAC supports legislation to fix this anomaly, which causes significant cost disadvantages for developers, municipalities and public agencies. Open competition would remedy this issue as well as promote quality and encourage technological development, which benefits society overall. The ADS PAC supports legislation that defines system performance requirements and requires bidding of all technically qualified materials.
**2. ENCOURAGING RECYCLING PROGRAMS AND THE USE OF RECYCLED MATERIAL**
With recycling at the heart of ADS' operations, the ADS PAC advocates for the use of recycled plastic in construction materials, creating a circular economy for plastics. ADS supports legislation that encourages recycling – from educating consumers to improving the recycling material stream – as well as the use of recycled material in construction.
**3. INCREASING FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE**
ADS supports federal funding for infrastructure because investments are key to promoting economic growth and job creation. Infrastructure spending results in higher economic output, which in turn leads to many benefits including construction and land development. Additionally, there is a gap in infrastructure needs and available funding, and ADS supports legislation to bridge this gap.