# Law No. 3516 of December 30, 1958

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648551](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648551)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3516-of-december-30-1958

## Summary

Law No. 3516 of December 30, 1958 (Lei nº 3516/1958) is a Brazilian federal statute enacted by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil under President Juscelino Kubitschek. This law relates to the Ministry of Transport of Brazil (Ministerio Da Viação E Obras Publicas) and addresses matters of special budgetary adjustment (Credito Especial) and its validity. It was published in Rio de Janeiro on December 30, 1958, and remains accessible through the official government portal.

## Key Facts

- **Title:** Lei nº 3516, de 30 de dezembro de 1958
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3516/1958
- **Country:** Brazil
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Publication Date:** December 30, 1958
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Promulgated By:** President Juscelino Kubitschek (determination method: promulgation)
- **Instance Of:** Statute (formal written document that creates law)
- **Main Subject:** Ministry of Transport of Brazil (stated as "Ministerio Da Viação E Obras Publicas")
- **Additional Subjects:** Special budgetary adjustment (stated as "Credito Especial"), validity (stated as "Vigencia")
- **Applies To Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1958-12-30;3516
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3516.htm
- **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law

## FAQs

**What is Law No. 3516 of December 30, 1958?**

Law No. 3516 of December 30, 1958 is a Brazilian federal statute (lei) enacted in 1958. It is classified as a statute—a formal written document that creates law—and relates specifically to the Ministry of Transport of Brazil (Ministerio Da Viação E Obras Publicas), addressing special budgetary adjustment (Credito Especial) and provisions regarding its validity.

**Who enacted Law No. 3516/1958?**

The law was promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek on December 30, 1958, through the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The law was subsequently published in Rio de Janeiro, making it official federal legislation.

**What is the subject matter of Law No. 3516/1958?**

The law's main subject is the Ministry of Transport of Brazil (Ministerio Da Viação E Obras Publicas). It addresses special budgetary adjustment provisions (Credito Especial) and includes provisions concerning the law's validity (Vigencia). As a statute, it represents a formal written expression of legal rules enacted by the Brazilian federal government.

**Where can Law No. 3516/1958 be accessed?**

The full text of Law No. 3516 is available through the official Brazilian government portal at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3516.htm. The law is also catalogued in LexML Brazil with the identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1958-12-30;3516.

**What classification does Law No. 3516/1958 hold in legal terminology?**

In legal taxonomy, Law No. 3516/1958 is classified as a statute—a formal written document that creates law. It is an instance of the broader legal concept of "statute," which encompasses acts passed by legislatures, executive orders, and by-laws. The law functions as a manifestation of statutory law within the Brazilian legal system.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 3516 of December 30, 1958 matters as part of the broader framework of Brazilian federal legislation enacted during the Kubitschek administration. As a statute, it represents the formal exercise of legislative authority by the Brazilian federal government, creating binding legal rules that govern specific matters related to the Ministry of Transport and budgetary procedures.

The law exemplifies how the Brazilian federal government utilizes statutes to formalize legal rules and administrative procedures. During the late 1950s, Brazil was experiencing significant developmental changes under Kubitschek's "50 Years in 5" development plan, and transportation infrastructure was a key priority. Laws like No. 3516 contributed to establishing the legal framework for federal administrative operations and budgetary controls.

Statutes such as Law No. 3516/1958 serve as the concrete, written evidence of legal rules that govern society. Unlike abstract legal theories, this statute represents the tangible manifestation of statutory law, serving as a definitive reference point for government administrators, legal practitioners, and citizens. The law's inclusion in official legal databases and its continued availability through government portals demonstrates the enduring nature of statutory law in providing legal certainty and administrative continuity.

Furthermore, as a public domain legal document in Brazil, Law No. 3516/1958 exemplifies the principle that laws belong to the public, ensuring that citizens have access to the legal rules that govern them. This accessibility reinforces democratic principles and the rule of law by allowing public scrutiny of federal legislation.

## Notable For

- **Federal Legislative Authority:** Represents an exercise of federal statutory power by the Presidency of Brazil during the Kubitschek administration.
- **Transportation Focus:** Directly relates to the Ministry of Transport of Brazil (Ministerio Da Viação E Obras Publicas), a key federal ministry responsible for infrastructure development.
- **Budgetary Provisions:** Addresses special budgetary adjustment (Credito Especial), reflecting the legal mechanisms for federal financial management in 1950s Brazil.
- **Official Preservation:** Remains accessible through official government portals, demonstrating Brazil's commitment to preserving and providing access to federal legislation.
- **Legal Classification:** Classified as a statute—the formal written document that creates law—within the Brazilian legal system.

## Body

### Legislative Context and Enactment

Law No. 3516 of December 30, 1958 was enacted during a significant period in Brazilian history. President Juscelino Kubitschek, who served from 1956 to 1961, was leading Brazil through a period of intense economic development and modernization. The law was promulgated on December 30, 1958, through the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, representing an official act of federal legislative authority.

The law was published in Rio de Janeiro, which served as Brazil's capital at the time before the transfer to Brasília in 1960. This publication in the official gazette or similar legal record made the statute binding federal law, applicable throughout the jurisdiction of Brazil.

### Legal Classification and Nature

Law No. 3516/1958 is classified as a statute—a formal written document that creates law. In the hierarchy of legal concepts, a statute represents the concrete manifestation of statutory law, as distinguished from other legal sources such as regulations, judicial decisions, or customary law. The law falls within the category of "legal term or legal concept" and functions as a written work that establishes binding legal rules.

As a Brazilian federal statute, Law No. 3516 occupies a specific position in the Brazilian legal system. Federal statutes (leis) in Brazil are primary legislation enacted by the federal government and apply uniformly across the national territory. The law's classification as a statute means it carries the full force of legislative authority, creating rights, obligations, and legal frameworks that must be followed by citizens, businesses, and government entities.

### Subject Matter and Content

The primary subject of Law No. 3516/1958 is the Ministry of Transport of Brazil, historically known as "Ministerio Da Viação e Obras Publicas" (Ministry of Transportation and Public Works). This ministry was responsible for developing and maintaining Brazil's transportation infrastructure, including roads, railways, ports, and other critical infrastructure projects during the developmental era of the late 1950s.

Additionally, the law addresses "Credito Especial" (special budgetary adjustment), which refers to extraordinary financial mechanisms used by the federal government to address specific budgetary needs outside the regular budget process. This provision reflects the legal framework for federal financial management, allowing for special credits or adjustments to address unforeseen circumstances or priority projects.

The law also includes provisions concerning "Vigencia" (validity), which addresses the effective dates and duration of the statute's applicability. This is a standard element of legislative drafting, establishing when the law enters into force and under what conditions it remains effective.

### Official Identification and Access

Law No. 3516/1958 carries several official identifiers that facilitate its identification and retrieval within legal databases and government records. The LexML Brazil system, which provides structured legal information for Brazilian legislation, assigns the identifier "urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1958-12-30;3516" to this statute.

The official text of the law remains accessible through the Brazilian government portal at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3516.htm. This portal, maintained by the federal government, provides free public access to federal legislation, reflecting the principle that legal documents should be accessible to the citizens they govern.

The legal citation "Lei nº 3516/1958" is the standard abbreviated reference used by legal practitioners, scholars, and government officials when referring to this statute. This citation format follows Brazilian legal conventions, indicating the law number, type (Lei), and year of enactment.

### Jurisdiction and Applicability

As a federal statute, Law No. 3516/1958 applies to the jurisdiction of Brazil. Federal statutes in Brazil supersede state and municipal legislation in areas within federal competence, and they apply uniformly throughout the national territory. The law's applicability extends to all entities and individuals within Brazil who fall within its scope, including government agencies, private businesses, and citizens.

The law was enacted in Brazilian Portuguese, which is the official language of Brazil. All legal texts, including statutes, are drafted and published in Portuguese to ensure clear communication of legal rules to the Brazilian population.

### Relationship to Broader Legal Framework

Law No. 3516/1958 exists within the broader context of Brazilian statutory law. As a statute, it represents one of the formal written documents that create law in Brazil. The concept of a statute in Brazilian law encompasses not only laws enacted by the federal legislature but also other formal legal instruments that create binding legal rules.

The law relates to the broader framework of administrative law in Brazil, particularly as it concerns the organization and functioning of federal ministries. The Ministry of Transport, as the primary subject of this law, operates within a legal framework established by federal statutes that define its powers, responsibilities, and organizational structure.

The budgetary provisions contained in Law No. 3516 also connect to Brazil's financial and fiscal legal framework. Federal budget laws in Brazil establish the mechanisms for government revenue collection and expenditure, and special budgetary adjustments like "Credito Especial" represent extraordinary measures permitted under Brazilian fiscal law.

### Historical Significance

Law No. 3516/1958 represents a snapshot of Brazilian legislative activity during the late 1950s, a period of significant transformation in Brazil's development trajectory. The Kubitschek administration prioritized infrastructure development, particularly transportation networks, to support economic growth and integration across Brazil's vast territory.

This statute, along with other legislation enacted during this period, contributed to building the legal foundation for Brazil's modern transportation infrastructure. The Ministry of Transport played a central role in these development efforts, and the legal frameworks established by statutes like Law No. 3516 provided the authority and procedures for carrying out major infrastructure projects.

The law's preservation in official government databases and its continued accessibility demonstrate the enduring nature of statutory law. Even decades after its enactment, the law remains part of the Brazilian legal framework, illustrating the principle that legislation continues to govern until formally repealed or amended.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1958-12-30;3516)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3516&ano=1958&data=30/12/1958&ato=bd4o3ZU90dRRVT581)