VARIANCE Act

This bill lets certain trucks that carry “dry bulk goods” put a little more weight on a single axle while driving on the Interstate. Dry bulk goods are defined as a uniform, unpackaged, nonliquid load carried in a trailer made for that purpose. The truck could have up to 110% of the usual axle or axle-group limit, including any enforcement tolerance. However, the overall maximum total truck weight would not change.

What this means in daily life: trucks hauling dry bulk goods could balance loads more easily across their axles without breaking the rules, which may reduce the need to stop and re-load and could make shipments more efficient on Interstates. The total allowed weight of the truck stays the same, so it does not let heavier trucks overall—just a small shift in how the weight sits on the axles.

• Who is affected: Commercial trucks transporting dry bulk goods in specialized trailers.
• What changes: Up to 110% of the normal limit on any axle or axle group; total truck weight limit stays the same.
• Where it applies: Interstate Highway System.
• When: No specific start date is stated in the text; it would take effect only if enacted into law.