TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- The acting director of the Kansas Legislature's research staff has been promoted to permanent director.

Legislative leaders gave the promotion Tuesday to Raney Gilliland. He became acting director of the Legislative Research Department in February, when Alan Conroy left to head the state pension system for teachers and government workers.

Gilliland has worked for the Research Department since 1979, specializing in energy and agriculture policy. He became an assistant research director in 2006.

Gilliland holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's in agricultural economics from Kansas State University.