# Law No. 3744 of April 4, 1960

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648740](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648740)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3744-of-april-4-1960

## Summary
**Law No. 3744 of April 4, 1960** (Lei nº 3.744/1960) is a Brazilian statute enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek. It establishes a special budgetary adjustment (*Crédito Especial*) specifically designated for the Ministry of Education. As a formal legal document, it functions as a manifestation of statutory law within the Federative Republic of Brazil.

## Key Facts
- **Full Title:** Lei nº 3.744, de 4 de abril de 1960
- **Classification:** Instance of a **statute** (a formal written document that creates law).
- **Enactment Date:** April 4, 1960.
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Promulgated By:** Juscelino Kubitschek (President of Brazil).
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil.
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro (Federal Capital at the time).
- **Primary Subject:** Special budgetary adjustment (*Crédito Especial*).
- **Target Entity:** Ministry of Education (*Ministério da Educação* - MEC).
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3.744/1960.
- **LexML ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1960-04-04;3744`
- **Official URL:** Available at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3744.htm`

## FAQs
**What is the legal function of Law No. 3.744?**
The law functions as a statute, which is a formal written document enacted to create or modify law. Specifically, it authorizes a "special budgetary adjustment" (*Crédito Especial*), a financial mechanism used to allocate funds for specific, often unforeseen, governmental needs.

**Who signed Law No. 3.744 into effect?**
The law was approved and promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, under the administration of President Juscelino Kubitschek, on April 4, 1960.

**Where was this law published and applied?**
The law was published in Rio de Janeiro, which served as the capital of Brazil until the inauguration of Brasília on April 21, 1960 (17 days later). It applies to the entire jurisdiction of Brazil.

**How is this law classified in legal ontologies?**
It is classified as an "instance of statute," meaning it is a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." It is a concrete manifestation of statutory law caused by legislation.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3.744 serves as a specific example of the administrative and legislative processes of Brazil during a pivotal historical transition. Enacted just weeks before the federal capital moved from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília, it captures the final legislative acts of the Republic in its former seat of power. By designating a "special budgetary adjustment" for the Ministry of Education, the law illustrates the government's fiscal priorities and the use of statutory mechanisms to fund specific sectors of the state machinery. As a statute, it represents the fundamental method by which government authority is formally exercised, documented, and made enforceable within the Brazilian legal system.

## Notable For
- **Historical Timing:** Enacted on April 4, 1960, placing it among the final federal statutes signed in Rio de Janeiro before the capital relocation to Brasília on April 21, 1960.
- **Specific Fiscal Mechanism:** Notable for its utilization of a "special budgetary adjustment" (*Crédito Especial*), a specific type of financial authorization distinct from the general budget.
- **Educational Funding:** Specifically targets the Ministry of Education (MEC), highlighting a directed financial intervention in the education sector during the Kubitschek era.
- **Legal Ontology:** Serves as a distinct example of a "statute" in structured knowledge bases, linking abstract legal concepts (like "legal norm" and "written work") to a concrete legislative act.

## Body

### Definition and Legal Classification
Law No. 3.744 is legally defined as a **statute**. In the context of legal ontology, a statute is a formal written document that creates law, encompassing acts, executive orders, and by-laws. It is a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." This law exists as the manifestation of statutory law, composed of "legal norms" and caused by the act of "legislation." Like other statutes in jurisdictions such as the United States and France, Brazilian statutes are official legal documents that serve as the definitive reference point for courts and administrators.

### Historical and Political Context
The law was enacted on **April 4, 1960**, a date that places it firmly within the presidency of **Juscelino Kubitschek**. It was approved via promulgation by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**. 

Geographically, the law is tied to **Rio de Janeiro**, listed explicitly as the place of publication. This detail is historically significant as Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil at the time. The law was signed merely 17 days before the inauguration of **Brasília** on April 21, 1960, marking it as part of the legislative output of the "Republic of Rio de Janeiro" era.

### Subject Matter and Function
The primary function of Law No. 3.744 was to authorize a **special budgetary adjustment** (referred to in Portuguese as *Credito Especial*). Unlike standard budget allocations, a special credit is typically used to cover expenses not included in the annual budget law, often for urgent or specific needs. 

The sole beneficiary or subject of this adjustment was the **Ministry of Education** (*Ministerio Da Educação* or MEC). By enacting this statute, the government formally allocated additional financial resources to this specific ministry, altering the fiscal landscape for education in 1960.

### Identification and Access
The law is cataloged under the **LexML Brazil ID** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1960-04-04;3744`, a standard identifier for Brazilian legal documents. It is written in **Brazilian Portuguese** and applies to the jurisdiction of **Brazil**. For public access, the full text of the work is available at the official government portal: `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l3744.htm`. It is referenced within the **WikiProject Brazilian Laws** as part of the structured knowledge maintenance for Brazilian legislation.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1960-04-04;3744)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3744&ano=1960&data=04/04/1960&ato=2bcATWq50dVRVT45f)