Fire apparatus; prohibit mandatory retirement based solely on the equipment's age.

HB 1526 prevents fire departments from mandating retirement of fire trucks solely based on age if the trucks meet specific safety and maintenance standards. To qualify, apparatus must pass required safety inspections and testing (per NFPA standards), be maintained per manufacturer specifications with documented records, and have no known defects affecting safety or performance. The Mississippi State Rating Bureau must base replacement recommendations on objective test results, not age, and departments may voluntarily replace equipment earlier without penalty. The bill, which died in committee in February 2026, aims to extend the operational life of safe fire apparatus and reduce unnecessary costs for local governments.