Representative Jane Holland Smith, affectionately known as “General Jane,” because of her commanding leadership was first elected to District 8, Louisiana House of Representatives in 2000, after retiring as the Superintendent of Bossier Parish Schools.  In 1999, Representative Smith was named the Louisiana Superintendent of the Year.  In 2008, beginning her third term in the Louisiana Legislature, Smith was elected Chairman of the House Legislative Republican Delegation.

Other Committee Assignments:

• Vice Chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee
• House & Governmental Affairs Committee
• Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay
• House Executive Committee
• Governor Jindal appointed Smith to the Governor’s Committee on Women’s Policy & to the Special Committee on Military & Veterans Affairs
• House Speaker Tucker appointed Smith to serve as a member of the Fiscal Affairs & Government Operations Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments for 2010 and 2011.

While serving on the Criminal Justice Committee she authored and passed the “Trey Hutchison Act”, HB 88, which creates a database to keep track of offenders who have assaulted a peace officer. Other significant legislation Rep. Smith has authored and passed are the CNG (compressed Natural Gas), HB 110, Tax Credit Legislation to encourage the use of alternative clean burning fuel, and the 2009 LA Tax Amnesty Legislation, HB 720, which has resulted in over 470 million dollars in delinquent taxes repaid as a result of this incentive.

Smith has been the recipient of numerous awards during her time of service in the legislature.  The Advocacy Award by the American Cancer Society, Representative of the Year by the LA Federation of Teachers, Legislator of the Year by the LA Association of Principals, Outstanding Family Advocate Award by the LA Family Forum ~ just to name a few.

A native of Many, Louisiana, Smith graduated from the public school system to which her lifetime career has been dedicated. She earned her B.S. Degree, Master + 30 from Northwestern State University.

Rep. Smith is a charter member of the Republican Women of Bossier, a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and First Baptist Bossier.  Smith is a long distance runner, an avid golfer and is a member of the Stonebridge Ladies Association as well as the Shreveport Women’s Golf Association.  Rep. Smith is a proponent of health and fitness.  Married to Scott Smith, Assistant Superintendent, Bossier Parish Schools, they have one daughter, Hillary, son-in-law, Eric, and two precious grandchildren, Holland and Evan.