Dry Bulk Hauling: New Bill Would Allow 10% Axle Variance

VARIANCE Act Aims to Improve Efficiency for Dry Bulk Trucking

Focus on Gaining Flexibility Without Raising Weight Limits

A new bill in the U.S. House of Representatives could make things easier for truckers who haul dry bulk goods. The legislation is called the VARIANCE Act (H.R. 2920), short for the “Vehicle Axle Redistribution Increases Allow New Capacities for Efficiency Act.” It was introduced on April 17, 2025, by Representatives Rick Crawford (R-AR) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA).

This bill does not raise the federal gross weight limit. Instead, it changes how axle weight is handled for certain trucks. It would allow a 10 percent weight variance across axles for trucks that carry dry bulk goods. This rule would only apply if the truck stays under the 80,000-pound federal gross vehicle weight limit.

Dry Bulk Transport Faces Axle Weight Distribution Challenges

Currently, trucks must meet strict axle weight limits at weigh stations. For tandem axles, the maximum weight is 34,000 pounds. The problem is that dry bulk goods tend to shift during travel. Even when loaded correctly, the materials inside the trailer move around. This often causes more weight to fall on one axle than another.

These shifts happen naturally. Braking causes the cargo to press forward. Forward motion doesn’t spread the weight back out. As a result, one axle can end up carrying more weight than allowed—even if the truck’s total weight is legal.

This can create problems for truckers. They may face penalties or be forced to unload, even though the overall load is within legal limits. The VARIANCE Act aims to fix this issue.

Who the Dry Bulk Legislation Is Designed to Help

Only about 3% of the trucking industry uses tank trucks. Of those, just 2% carry dry bulk materials. These loads include flour, grain, plastic pellets, and similar goods. Though small, this group plays a big role in transporting essential products.

Representative Crawford said the bill is especially important for agriculture in Arkansas. “These dry goods will inevitably shift in the transport process, and current law must account for the unique characteristics of the goods being transported,” he said. “This legislation is a commonsense solution for truckers transporting dry bulk.”

Representative Carbajal also supports the change. “Providing this variance standard will give trucks more flexibility to transport critical products while ensuring they are still meeting safe weight limits,” he said.

Industry Backing

The National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) has shown strong support for the bill. Ryan Streblow, NTTC President and CEO, praised the legislation. “NTTC applauds their efforts to authorize a 10% axle variance for dry bulk goods, which has been an important legislative priority for NTTC,” he said.

“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,” Streblow continued. “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,” he added.

Details of the VARIANCE Act

The bill amends Section 127 of Title 23 of the U.S. Code. It allows a commercial vehicle that carries dry bulk goods to exceed the axle weight limit by up to 10 percent. The overall vehicle weight still cannot go over 80,000 pounds.

The legislation also defines “dry bulk goods.” These are solid, unpackaged, nonliquid materials that are carried in a trailer built specifically for that purpose.

During the last session of Congress, a similar amendment was added to the House version of the Transportation and Infrastructure reauthorization bill. That amendment was one of only two bipartisan changes that made it into the final version. This shows that the idea already has some bipartisan support.

What the Future Holds for Dry Bulk Transportation Reform

The VARIANCE Act is designed to help a small part of the trucking industry. But the benefits could be wide-reaching. The bill would reduce the need for trucks to unload cargo just because of weight shifts. It could also improve how efficiently goods move through the supply chain.

While the bill does not increase the overall weight limit for trucks, it provides needed flexibility. This flexibility could lower costs, reduce delays, and support safety on the roads.

As the bill moves through Congress, its bipartisan backing and industry support may help it gain traction. If passed, it could be a helpful change for drivers and companies moving dry bulk goods across the country.