# Law No. 3541 of February 2, 1959 > Brazilian law **Wikidata**: [Q105648679](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648679) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3541-of-february-2-1959 ## Summary Law No. 3541 of February 2, 1959, is a Brazilian statute enacted to address special budgetary adjustments, specifically granting financial authority to the Ministry of Finance. Promulgated during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek, it reflects legislative efforts to manage public expenditures in alignment with Brazil’s constitutional framework. The law remains a documented example of fiscal governance in 20th-century Brazil. ## Key Facts - **Enactment Date:** February 2, 1959. - **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil. - **Approved By:** President Juscelino Kubitschek (promulgation). - **Main Subjects:** Special budgetary adjustment (Crédito Especial) and the Ministry of Finance (Ministério da Fazenda). - **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3541/1959. - **Publication Date:** February 2, 1959. - **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro (then the capital of Brazil). - **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese. - **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-02-02;3541`. - **Access:** Available via the Brazilian Presidency’s legislation portal. - **Related Project:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws. ## FAQs **What is the primary purpose of Law No. 3541 of 1959?** This law authorized special budgetary adjustments for the Ministry of Finance, enabling specific financial allocations within Brazil’s public administration framework. **Who approved the law?** The law was promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek on February 2, 1959, as part of his executive authority under Brazil’s 1946 Constitution. **Where can the full text of the law be accessed?** The complete text is available on the official Brazilian legislative portal at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3541.htm`. **What historical context surrounds this law?** Enacted during Kubitschek’s presidency (1956–1961), the law aligns with his administration’s focus on economic development and infrastructure projects, including the establishment of Brasília as the new capital in 1960. ## Why It Matters Law No. 3541 of 1959 is significant for its role in Brazil’s fiscal governance during a period of rapid modernization. By authorizing special budgetary mechanisms, it supported the government’s ability to allocate resources dynamically, reflecting the broader economic strategies of the Kubitschek era. The law underscores the legal frameworks used to manage public finances during Brazil’s developmentalist phase, contributing to the country’s infrastructure growth and institutional organization. Its documentation also highlights the procedural transparency of legislative processes in mid-20th-century Brazil. ## Notable For - **Fiscal Governance:** Demonstrates Brazil’s mid-20th-century approach to budgetary flexibility. - **Presidential Legacy:** Ties to Juscelino Kubitschek’s economic policies, including his "50 Years of Progress in 5" agenda. - **Historical Documentation:** Preserved as part of Brazil’s legal heritage, accessible through modern digital platforms. - **Language and Accessibility:** Published in Brazilian Portuguese, ensuring clarity and public access in the official state language. ## Body ### Legislative Context Law No. 3541 was enacted during a transformative period in Brazilian history, marked by President Kubitschek’s ambitious development agenda. The law’s focus on budgetary adjustments aligns with the government’s need to fund large-scale projects, such as the construction of Brasília, which began in 1956 and concluded in 1960. By granting special financial authority to the Ministry of Finance, the law facilitated targeted resource allocation without requiring broader legislative amendments. ### Key Provisions The statute explicitly addresses **Crédito Especial** (special credit), a fiscal instrument used to address unforeseen or exceptional expenditures. This mechanism allowed the Ministry of Finance to respond to specific financial needs within the constraints of Brazil’s 1946 Constitution, which mandated congressional oversight of public spending. The law’s provisions reinforced the executive branch’s capacity to manage fiscal policies while maintaining compliance with legal requirements. ### Approval and Publication Promulgated on February 2, 1959, the law followed standard legislative procedures of the time. As Brazil’s capital was transferred from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília in 1960, the publication in Rio de Janeiro reflects the transitional phase of governmental operations. The law’s registration under LexML Brazil (URN identifier) ensures its integration into the country’s digital legal corpus, enhancing accessibility for researchers and policymakers. ### Historical Significance This law is emblematic of the Kubitschek administration’s strategy to balance economic growth with institutional rigor. The 1950s saw significant industrialization and urbanization in Brazil, necessitating agile financial governance. Law No. 3541 exemplifies how targeted legislation supported national development goals, including infrastructure investments and social programs. Its enactment also underscores the role of the Ministry of Finance in shaping fiscal policy during this era. ### Accessibility and Preservation The law’s availability on the Planalto portal (`https://www.planalto.gov.br/`) ensures public access to historical legal documents, promoting transparency and scholarly inquiry. Its inclusion in WikiProject Brazilian Laws further highlights collaborative efforts to document and contextualize Brazil’s legislative history. This digital preservation contrasts with earlier periods when legal texts were less accessible to the general public. ### Related Entities - **Juscelino Kubitschek:** President from 1956 to 1961, his leadership during the law’s enactment links it to his broader developmentalist policies. - **Ministério da Fazenda (Ministry of Finance):** The law’s primary subject, emphasizing its role in fiscal management. - **Brasília:** The law’s timing coincides with the construction of the new capital, underscoring the financial planning required for such projects. - **1946 Constitution:** The legal foundation governing Brazil at the time, which structured the relationship between executive and legislative branches in fiscal matters. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-02-02;3541) 2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3541&ano=1959&data=02/02/1959&ato=7d4AzZE5UMRRVT529)