Lawmakers have introduced legislation that they say would increase the efficiency of the transportation of dry goods by tank trucks.

The Vehicle Axle Redistribution Increases Allow New Capacities for Efficiency Act (VARIANCE Act) was introduced last week by Congressmen Salud Carbajal and Rick Crawford.

The bill seeks to allow for a 10% load shift variance on each axle’s weight as long as the overall weight of the tank truck does not exceed 80,000 pounds and is only carrying dry bulk goods.

The load shift variance does not increase the maximum gross vehicle weight limit at 80,000 pounds, but rather would allow the maximum weight limit for tandem axles from 34,000 pounds to 37,400 pounds.

Lawmakers say that bulk loads of dry goods rarely exceed the overall weight limits but they regularly shift during transport and cause the front trailer axle to exceed its maximum 34,000 pounds.

“Providing this variance standard will give trucks more flexibility to transport critical products while ensuring they are still meeting safe weight limits,” said Rep. Carbajal. “The VARIANCE Act is a bipartisan solution that will go a long way toward lowering costs for consumers and reducing congestion on our highways.”

“Arkansas’s agriculture industry relies on the timely transport of goods to their end destination,” said Rep. Crawford. “These dry goods will inevitably shift in the transport process and current law must account for the unique characteristics of the goods being transported. This legislation is a commonsense solution for truckers transporting dry bulk by giving more flexibility. I appreciate Congressman Carbajal joining me to lead this effort to create more efficiency in transporting our nation’s key dry goods.”

“The National Tank Truck Carriers would like to thank Representative Crawford and Representative Carbajal for their leadership in introducing the VARIANCE Act in the U.S. House of Representatives,” stated Ryan Streblow, President and CEO of National Tank Truck Carriers. “NTTC applauds their efforts to authorize a 10% axle variance for dry bulk goods, which has been an important legislative priority for NTTC. This simple, commonsense solution that allows carriers to maximize payloads of materials such as grains, feeds, and plastics, without raising the federal maximum laden weight or disrupting the bridge formula. By accounting for product shift during transit, this legislation acknowledges the operational realities of dry bulk carriers and represents a significant step toward a more efficient transportation network. It will help reduce stress on the supply chain, alleviate highway congestion, and enhance safety and efficiency. We are grateful for the strong support from Representative Crawford and Representative Carbajal and for their commitment to addressing this critical issue for the North American tank truck industry.”