Rethinking Legislative Tech Stacks: Why XML-Centric Architectures Fail to Support Statute Management and Publishing Workflows

The Promise — and Limits — of XML-First Design In the early 2000s, technology’s influence across industries became undeniable. Even sectors traditionally slow to change began embracing digital tools as the shift from paper to digital accelerated.Legislatures were no exception. Drafting attorneys, legislative staff, and administrators began asking how technology could support the complex work of law-making. The goal was clear: reduce inefficiencies while maintaining the precision and integrity that legislation demands.