The inclusion of a 10% dry bulk axle variance in the BUILD America 250 Act was the headlining provision for tank truck industry stakeholders. National Tank Truck Carriers and American Trucking Associations both back the measure, which would grant haulers of shifting dry bulk products flexibility on axle weights without altering the gross vehicle weight limit for loaded tanks.

But that was only one of many investments and reforms in the five-year, $580 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill, which cleared a key House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup by a 62-2 vote May 22, but still needed to pass both chambers of Congress before the current transit program lapses Sept. 30. Fortunately, NTTC leaders went through the 1,000-page bill with a fine-toothed comb, so we don’t have to. “To sum it up, the bill isn’t perfect, but it is overwhelmingly positive in favor of our industry,” Will Lusk, NTTC director of education and government relations, told Bulk Transporter.

NTTC indicated support for 17 sections of the bill, including Section 1302, which amends vehicle weight limits. Other noteworthy provisions NTTC supports include forming a rulemaking committee to evaluate pulsating light systems (Section 4012), extending hazardous materials special permit periods (10604), updating hazardous materials registration fee distinctions for small businesses (10602), creating a workforce development program to support drivers and mechanics (5407), enhancing the DataQs appeals process (5203), and extending the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Program through Sept. 30, 2031.

NTTC opposes changes related to safety placards and hazmat endorsements.

Section 10607 would require “costly” rulemaking for placards designed to survive extreme fire conditions and remain legible during uncontrolled burns, “despite a lack of data-supported evidence demonstrating meaningful safety benefits,” NTTC reported. And Section 10608 would necessitate a “burdensome” study on commodity-specific hazardous materials endorsements on commercial driver’s licenses, adding “unnecessary complexity for carriers and driver licensing agencies while reducing flexibility for drivers,” NTTC maintained.

The association is “monitoring”  terms and conditions for exemptions (5005), oversight for predatory lease-purchase programs (5101), and an exception for intrastate transportation of diesel fuel for logging operations (10610). “NTTC will continue engaging with lawmakers and federal agencies as the BUILD America 250 Act advances through the legislative process and will provide members with additional updates as new developments occur,” NTTC concluded.

A May 20 release from the House T&I committee boasted BUILD America 250 Act endorsements from over 100 organizations—over 100!—including ATA, AGC, CVSA, IFDA, NTTC, OOIDA, SIGMA, TFI, and TCA. That confirms my conviction that there’s a group for absolutely everything under the sun, moon, and stars, on this planet and every other planet. But it also suggests this highway bill enjoys overwhelming support, and Congress must decide on something soon, right?

“Many NTTC members are small businesses, as defined by the Small Business Administration, and play a vital role in supporting American manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and supply chain operations,” Streblow summarized.

“We look forward to working with [Congress] to advance the BUILD America 250 Act.”

Still, my breath is unabated.

NTTC leaders were confident they’d secure a dry bulk axle variance before, but those efforts died out. And our divided Congress has difficulty doing anything other than funding itself these days—and even that’s a daunting task. But maybe common sense will finally prevail.

One can only cope.