# Law No. 3710 of December 24, 1959

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648885](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648885)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3710-of-december-24-1959

## Summary
Law No. 3710 of December 24, 1959, is a Brazilian statute enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek. It authorized a special budgetary adjustment for the Ministry of Transport (then called the "Ministério da Viação e Obras Públicas"), enabling financial allocations for public infrastructure projects. This law reflects Brazil's mid-20th-century focus on modernization and development.

## Key Facts
- **Full Title:** Lei nº 3710, de 24 de dezembro de 1959  
- **Date Enacted:** December 24, 1959  
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil  
- **Approved By:** Presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek  
- **Legal Type:** Statute (formal written law)  
- **Main Subject:** Special budgetary adjustment for the Ministry of Transport  
- **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-12-24;3710`  
- **Publication Date:** December 24, 1959  
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro (then the capital of Brazil)  
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese  
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3710/1959  
- **Access:** Available at [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3710.htm](https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3710.htm)  

## FAQs
**What is Law No. 3710 of December 24, 1959?**  
This law authorized a special budgetary adjustment for Brazil's Ministry of Transport, facilitating infrastructure investments during Juscelino Kubitschek's administration (1956–1961).  

**Who approved this law?**  
It was promulgated by President Juscelino Kubitschek on December 24, 1959, as part of his broader agenda to modernize Brazil's infrastructure.  

**Why was this law enacted?**  
The law addressed funding needs for transportation and public works projects, aligning with Kubitschek's "50 Years of Progress in 5" development plan.  

**Where can the full text of this law be accessed?**  
The complete text is available via the Brazilian Government's legal database at [https://www.planalto.gov.br](https://www.planalto.gov.br).  

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3710 of 1959 played a critical role in Brazil's mid-20th-century infrastructure development, supporting projects like highway construction and urban modernization. It exemplifies the legal mechanisms used to fund public works during Kubitschek's presidency, a period marked by rapid industrialization and the establishment of Brasília as the new capital. This law underscores the strategic use of budgetary adjustments to drive national growth, leaving a lasting impact on Brazil's economic and logistical framework.

## Notable For
- **Special Budgetary Adjustment:** Enabled targeted funding for transportation infrastructure during a pivotal developmental era.  
- **Kubitschek-Era Policy:** Reflects the ambitious modernization agenda of President Juscelino Kubitschek.  
- **Historical Context:** Enacted just two years before the inauguration of Brasília (1960), highlighting Brazil's focus on spatial and economic integration.  
- **Legal Specificity:** Directly tied to the Ministry of Transport, demonstrating sector-specific legislative action.  

## Body

### Legal Context and Structure
Law No. 3710 of 1959 is classified as a **statute** under Brazilian law, functioning as a formal written instrument to allocate special budgetary resources. It was published in the *Diário Oficial da União* (Official Gazette) in Rio de Janeiro, then Brazil's capital, and remains accessible via the LexML Brazil identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-12-24;3710`. The law's text is written in Brazilian Portuguese, adhering to the country's official language requirements for legislation.

### Historical Background
Enacted during the presidency of **Juscelino Kubitschek** (1956–1961), this law aligns with his "50 Years of Progress in 5" plan, which prioritized infrastructure development to spur economic growth. The legislation specifically supported the **Ministério da Viação e Obras Públicas** (Ministry of Transport and Public Works), a key agency overseeing projects like road networks, railways, and the construction of Brasília. By authorizing a special credit adjustment, the law facilitated immediate financial disbursements for these initiatives.

### Key Provisions and Impact
The law's primary function was to adjust the 1959 budget to allocate funds for transportation and public works. This included:
- **Infrastructure Investment:** Financing for highways, bridges, and urban development projects critical to Brazil's modernization.
- **Economic Growth:** Supporting Kubitschek's industrialization goals by improving logistical connectivity across the country.
- **Brasília's Construction:** Indirectly contributing to the resources needed for the new capital city, inaugurated in 1960.

### Legislative and Administrative Framework
As a **statute**, Law No. 3710 followed standard Brazilian legislative procedures:
1. **Drafting:** Originated as a bill proposed by the executive branch.
2. **Approval:** Passed by the National Congress and sanctioned by the President.
3. **Promulgation:** Published in the Official Gazette to enter into force.

The law's creation involved collaboration between the **Presidency**, **Ministry of Transport**, and **National Congress**, reflecting the cooperative governance structure of Brazil's federal republic.

### Accessibility and Legacy
Today, the law is digitally accessible through the **Planalto Government Portal**, ensuring transparency and public access. Its legacy is tied to the infrastructure projects it enabled, many of which remain foundational to Brazil's transportation network. Historically, it is studied as an example of targeted fiscal legislation during a period of rapid national development.

### Connections to Broader Legal and Historical Narratives
Law No. 3710 intersects with several key entities and themes:
- **Brazilian Statutes:** Part of the broader corpus of Brazilian law, exemplifying the structure and purpose of statutory instruments in the country.
- **Juscelino Kubitschek's Presidency:** A product of the developmentalist policies that defined his term, including the establishment of Brasília.
- **Ministério da Viação e Obras Públicas:** Highlighting the ministry's role in mid-20th-century infrastructure planning.
- **LexML Brazil:** Demonstrating modern efforts to digitize and organize Brazil's legal framework for public access.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-12-24;3710)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3710&ano=1959&data=24/12/1959&ato=3dfkXSE9UMRRVTbb8)