Lawmakers have reintroduced the Trucker Bathroom Access Act, a bill that aims to ensure truckers can use restrooms at delivery and pickup sites across the nation.

The big picture: Introduced on April 1, 2025, by Representatives Troy Nehls and Chrissy Houlahan, this act would require that truckers have the same access to restroom facilities as other employees and customers at shipping and receiving locations.

• The new legislation also insists on better restroom access for drayage truck drivers at terminal locations.

Zoom in: The trucking industry has long faced issues with inadequate restroom access, worsening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Many truckers found themselves locked out of facilities, as businesses tried to limit virus spread.

What they're saying: "Truckers are this nation’s backbone," said Representative Nehls, emphasizing the crucial role truckers play in keeping the economy moving.

Rep. Houlahan added that improving bathroom access could help recruit and keep more drivers, especially women, who often face unique challenges in the industry. This effort has won endorsements from major trucking organizations, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, according to an official document.

Why it matters: Trucks haul over 70% of all American freight, making sufficient and fair working conditions essential to industry growth and stability.

This bill, which echoes past attempts in 2022 and 2023, aims to overcome "systemic barriers" and enhance the dignity of the trucking profession. Whether this measure can pass into law remains to be seen, but it clearly targets a widespread issue in the industry.