Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Vehicle Axle Redistribution Increases Allow New Capacities for Efficiency Act or the VARIANCE Act.
Section 2. Dry bulk axle weight variance
Section 127 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(1) Weight variance
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, except for the maximum gross vehicle weight limitation, a commercial motor vehicle transporting dry bulk goods may not exceed 110 percent of the maximum weight on any axle or axle group described in subsection (a), including any enforcement tolerance.
(2) Dry bulk goods defined
In this subsection, the term dry bulk goods means any homogeneous unmarked, unpackaged, nonliquid cargo being transported in a trailer specifically designed for that purpose.