# Law No. 2319 of September 10, 1954

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105649542](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649542)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-2319-of-september-10-1954

## Summary
**Law No. 2319 of September 10, 1954** (Portuguese: *Lei nº 2319, de 10 de setembro de 1954*) is a Brazilian federal statute enacted during the presidency of Café Filho. Classified formally as a statute, this legal document creates law and serves as a manifestation of statutory law, functioning as the official record of legal rules enacted by the Brazilian government. It primarily addresses special budgetary adjustments and construction matters involving the Ministry of Finance and the states of Amazonas and Minas Gerais.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 2319, de 10 de setembro de 1954
- **Classification:** Instance of a **statute** (a formal written document that creates law, subclass of "written work" and "rule").
- **Date of Promulgation:** September 10, 1954
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Promulgator:** Café Filho (President of Brazil)
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 2319/1954
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro (then the federal capital)
- **Main Subjects:** Special budgetary adjustment (*Credito Especial*), Construction, Ministry of Finance of Brazil, State of Amazonas, State of Minas Gerais.
- **Lexml Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1954-09-10;2319`
- **Official URL:** Available at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l2319.htm`
- **Copyright Status:** Public domain (as a government edict).

## FAQs
**What type of legal instrument is Law No. 2319/1954?**
It is a **statute**, which is a formal written document enacted to create law. In the context of legal classification, it is a subclass of "written work" and "document," distinct from abstract legal theories or general legislative acts. As an official government edict in Brazil, it is part of the public domain.

**Who approved and promulgated this law?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and promulgated by **Café Filho** on September 10, 1954. Café Filho served as President following the death of Getúlio Vargas, which occurred just weeks prior to this law's enactment.

**What is the primary subject matter of this law?**
The law focuses on a **special budgetary adjustment** (cited as "Credito Especial"). It specifically allocates resources for **construction** projects and involves the **Ministry of Finance of Brazil**, as well as the state governments of **Amazonas** and **Minas Gerais**.

**Where was this law published and how can it be accessed?**
It was published in **Rio de Janeiro**, which was the capital of Brazil at the time. Digital versions are available via the official government portal at the Planalto Palace website and are indexed under the Lexml Brazil ID `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1954-09-10;2319`.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 2319 of September 10, 1954, matters as a concrete example of statutory law within the Brazilian legal system. Enacted during the politically significant administration of Café Filho—the first vice-president to assume the presidency due to a crisis—it illustrates the routine yet essential function of government: the allocation of specific budgetary credits ("Credito Especial") for infrastructure and construction.

By targeting specific federal entities (Ministry of Finance) and states (Amazonas and Minas Gerais), the law demonstrates the administrative reach of the federal government in managing regional development and public finance. As a statute, it embodies the "edict of government doctrine," serving as a permanent, public record of legislative will that is accessible to all citizens without copyright restriction. Its existence helps map the legislative history of Brazil during the 1950s, a period of significant industrialization and political change.

## Notable For
- **Café Filho Administration:** Represents a legislative act from the brief tenure of President Café Filho (1954–1955).
- **Specific Budgetary Allocation:** Notable for its focus on "Special Credits" (*Credito Especial*), a specific financial mechanism used for unforeseen or urgent expenses.
- **Regional Impact:** Explicitly names and allocates resources to two distinct Brazilian states: Amazonas (North region) and Minas Gerais (Southeast region).
- **Capital Context:** Was published in Rio de Janeiro, predating the transfer of the federal capital to Brasília (1960).
- **Legal Standardization:** Possesses a formal Lexml URN identifier, integrating it into the standardized open legislative data framework of Brazil.

## Body

### Legal Classification and Definition
Law No. 2319/1954 is formally classified as a **statute**. In legal theory, a statute is a formal written document that creates law; it acts as the physical manifestation of statutory law. It is taxonomically a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule," distinct from the broader concept of "legislation" (the process) or "legal act." Structurally, it is composed of legal norms and is considered in the public domain, ensuring unrestricted public access.

### Promulgation and Historical Context
The statute was approved by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil** on **September 10, 1954**. The promulgation was performed by **Café Filho**, who served as the determinant method of approval. Historically, this places the law in the immediate aftermath of the political turmoil of August 1954, following the suicide of President Getúlio Vargas.

The law was published in **Rio de Janeiro**, which served as the federal capital until 1960. This location detail confirms the administrative center of Brazil at the time of the law's inception.

### Subject Matter and Scope
The content of Law No. 2319/1954 is defined by its main subjects, which dictate its legal effect:
- **Special Budgetary Adjustment:** The core subject is listed as "Credito Especial" (Special Credit), indicating a legal authorization for specific financial expenditure outside the standard budget.
- **Construction:** The law funds construction activities ("Construção").
- **Beneficiaries and Jurisdiction:**
    - **Ministry of Finance of Brazil (MF):** The federal body likely responsible for the disbursement or management of the funds.
    - **State of Amazonas (AM):** A specific beneficiary state located in the North region of Brazil.
    - **State of Minas Gerais (MG):** A specific beneficiary state located in the Southeast region of Brazil.

### Identifiers and Official Records
The law is tracked and indexed through several official systems:
- **Legal Citation:** *Lei nº 2319/1954*.
- **Lexml Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1954-09-10;2319`. This Uniform Resource Name identifies the law within the Brazilian legislative open data ecosystem.
- **Wikimedia Project:** It is on the focus list of **WikiProject Brazilian Laws**, indicating its relevance to editors documenting Brazilian legislation.

### Language and Accessibility
The official language of the document is **Brazilian Portuguese**. As a government edict, the text is available online at the official portal of the Planalto Palace (`https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l2319.htm`). Its status as a public domain document ensures that the legal rules it contains are owned by the public and freely accessible.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1954-09-10;2319)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=2319&ano=1954&data=10/09/1954&ato=8e1oXV61UeJRVT66f)