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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina's health and environmental agency has picked a new person to act as its chief liaison with state legislators.

Department of Health and Environmental Control director Catherine Templeton said Monday that Jonathan Yarborough had been hired as the agency's legislative affairs director.

Templeton says Yarborough has previously worked as external affairs director at the state Department of Commerce. In that role, he was tasked with working with the Legislature, drafting bills and developing policy issues.

Yarborough earned a law degree at the University of South Carolina School of Law and is licensed to practice in South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. He has an undergraduate degree from Clemson University.

Templeton says Yarborough's salary will be around $85,000. He is replacing two employees who have left the agency.