A bill that North Country Sen. Betty Little, R-Queensbury, says will save local governments money has passed the state Senate.

The cooperative purchasing law would “continue a cooperative purchasing law, which enables local governments to utilize existing contracts of federal, state and local government agencies for the purchase of goods and services,” her office said.

Little sponsored the original legislation in 2012. A news release from her office said the law’s sunset date should be eliminated “to help local governments better plan for future purchases with the opportunity to save local tax dollars.”

Cooperative purchasing, also known as “piggybacking,” is a procurement method in which a contract previously awarded to a government agency may be used by other government agencies on the same terms and conditions, Little’s office said.

“This law has worked since its inception and, over time, as more local governments participate, it will work even better,” Little said in a prepared statement. “The current sunset is 2019. Acting this year, rather than pushing up against the sunset date, makes sense for our local governments who otherwise will be left guessing whether or not the law will be renewed.”

The New York State School Boards Association, New York Conference of Mayors and New York State Association of Counties support the legislation, her office said.

A companion bill is sponsored by Assemblywoman Addie Jenne, D-Theresa.