LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The chief-of-staff for former Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman has been hired as a senior research consultant to the Legislature.

Larry Bare will start in the new job on April 20. The Legislature’s Executive Board announced Thursday that Bare will represent the Legislature in the state’s effort to replace the Nebraska Capitol’s 55-year-old heating and air conditioning systems.

Bare was also a chief of staff to former Gov. Mike Johanns. He recently served as acting director of the Department of Administrative Services under Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Bare will earn $65,000 a year.

Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha, chairman of the Executive Board, says Bare’s knowledge of state government will prove beneficial to the Legislature.