Representative Jane Smith was elected as the State Representative for District 8, Bossier Parish, in January 2000.  She currently serves on Capital Outlay, Ways and Means Committee and House Administration on Criminal Justice Committee.  Earlier this year, 2007, Rep. Smith was asked to co-chair the newly formed Curriculum Committee, creating a smooth transition in 2008 for the newly elected representatives and senators.

Representative Smith has pioneered the way for women in Bossier Parish.  She was the first woman high school principal in Bossier Parish, the first woman Superintendent of Bossier Parish Schools and the first woman to represent Bossier Parish in the legislature.  Under her leadership, the Bossier Parish School District made great strides, a massive building program was completed and salaries for teachers were significantly increased.  In 1999, Representative Smith was named the Louisiana Superintendent of the Year.  She helped develop a character education program and a technology plan that is a model throughout the state. She has worked and continued to work with a program she began while superintendent, sponsoring books for parents of newborns

Representative Smith has made numerous presentations at the local, state and national level.  In the year 2000, she kicked off the Celebration for Women's Week in this area.  She espouses leadership for women and community involvement.  Representative Smith was chosen by her Alma Mater, Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, as a Hall of Fame Distinguished Educator because of her diligent work on behalf of the public schools and colleges in Louisiana.  Representative Smith was honored to be chosen as Northwestern's commencement speaker in May 2001.

In 2004, Representative Smith was chosen as one of the Top Ten Athena Award Nominees hosted by the Women's Business Council an affiliate of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.  Representative Smith was chosen as one of the Best Dressed Ladies in the Shreveport/Bossier area for the year 2000 in conjunction with the YMCA's efforts to promote awareness of violence against women.  August 3, 2004, Representative Smith was presented The Advocacy Award by the American Cancer Society.  In November 2004, at the Annual Convention of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, Rep. Smith was chosen as their Representative of the Year, 2004, for outstanding contributions to education through the legislative process.  The Louisiana Association of Principals chose Representative Smith as the Legislator of the Year ~ 2005.  At the Annual Convention of the Louisiana Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (LAHPERD) in November 2005, held in Baton Rouge, Representative Smith was presented the 2005 Presidential Award.  Rep. Smith served as a 2007 Honorary Chairwoman for the Go Red for Women Luncheon on behalf of the American Heart Association.  On March 27, 2007 The Sabine Hall of Fame proudly recognized Rep. Smith with the 2007 Achievement Award.  This award is presented annually to a native of Sabine Parish who has moved to another area and has been successful in their particular field of endeavor.  On May 4, 2007 a special awards ceremony in Baton Rouge, Rep. Smith was a recipient of the 2006 Outstanding Family Advocate Award presented by the Louisiana Family Forum for voting 100% for faith and family values.

Representative Smith is a proponent of health and fitness.  Because of the tremendous health crisis among our youth, she sponsored along with the American Heart Association and others, a program to return an active physical education program into elementary schools.  She is married to Scott Smith, Principal, Benton High School.  They are active members of First Baptist Bossier.  They have one daughter, Hillary Garner, married to Eric and two grandchildren, Holland and Evan.