On November 26th, 2025, Bússola Tech convened a panel discussion titled “Principles for a Digital Legislative Process: Translating Procedure into Digital,” bringing together senior legislative leaders and technology experts to examine how centuries-old parliamentary traditions can be translated into structured, programmable digital systems without compromising democratic integrity

Moderated by Luís Kimaid, Executive Director of Bússola Tech, the panel brought together Claus Koggel, Director-General at the Bundesrat of Germany; Paulo Dantas, Chief Legislative Counsel at the Senado Federal of Brazil; Marty Bickford, Vice-President at Xcential Legislative Technologies; and Warren Burke, Chief Legislative Counsel at the U.S. House of Representatives.

The discussion focused on a foundational challenge: how to convert procedural traditions—both written rules and unwritten conventions—into digital architectures that preserve constitutional principles, minority rights, deliberation, and institutional legitimacy. Participants emphasized that legislative procedure is not merely a workflow, but the operational expression of democratic values. Any digital translation must therefore begin with constitutional fidelity and procedural respect.

A central theme of the debate was the preservation of core principles. Transparency, accountability, debate, compromise, and human responsibility were repeatedly identified as non-negotiable elements. Panellists stressed that digital systems must reinforce, rather than dilute, these values. Automation can support efficiency, but it cannot replace deliberation. Human decision-making—particularly in politically sensitive steps such as bill referral, committee deliberation, or mediation procedures—must remain embedded within system design.

The panel also addressed the complexity of mapping deeply rooted conventions into digital form. Parliamentary systems often rely on informal practices and procedural flexibility that are not fully codified. Translating these into software requires careful consultation with subject-matter experts, legislative counsel, clerks, and political leadership. Steering committees, inclusive governance structures, and early stakeholder engagement were presented as critical mechanisms for ensuring institutional buy-in and safeguarding legitimacy.

From a technological perspective, emphasis was placed on open standards, interoperability, and long-term data integrity. Legislative texts must be structured in machine-readable formats capable of outlasting vendors and technological cycles. Systems should prioritize user experience, accessibility, cybersecurity, and resilience, including contingency planning for system failure or crisis scenarios. Digital transformation was framed not as isolated innovation, but as comprehensive institutional redesign.

Another key dimension concerned strategic sequencing. Participants debated what should be digitized first and what should remain analog. Consensus emerged that digitization should initially focus on processes that enhance transparency and traceability without altering core political dynamics. More sensitive procedural elements, particularly those protecting minority rights or facilitating negotiation, require careful deliberation before digital restructuring.

Artificial intelligence was considered within this broader architectural framework. While AI can assist with document comparison, speech-to-text transcription, workflow automation, and data analysis, it must operate within clearly defined human oversight structures. Technology should augment legislative expertise, not replace it.

In conclusion, the panel reaffirmed that translating legislative procedure into digital form is not a technical upgrade, but a constitutional exercise. When principles are clearly identified, governance structures are inclusive, and system design is anchored in democratic values, parliaments can modernize their processes while preserving institutional trust. Digital transformation, the panel concluded, must serve democracy, and never the reverse.