New legislation in Virginia (SB 1378) will enable localities to purchase from a COG contract and to participate in cooperative procurement with COG. While COG has routinely handled major procurements in conjunction with state and federal grants on behalf of Virginia localities, Virginia law precluded COG from contracting on behalf of Virginia localities for goods and services. COG thanks its members and legislators for their support, especially Virginia State Senator George Barker who introduced the bill.