# Law No. 4023 of December 20, 1961

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648109](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648109)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4023-of-december-20-1961

## Summary
Law No. 4023 of December 20, 1961, is a Brazilian statute that established the budget for the Federal District (Brasília) for the 1962 fiscal year. Enacted during the presidency of João Goulart, it formalized revenue and expenditure plans critical to the administrative and infrastructural development of Brazil’s new capital, which had been inaugurated in 1960. This law reflects Brazil’s fiscal governance structure during a period of significant political and urban transformation.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** December 20, 1961.
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil, specifically the Federal District.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4023/1961.
- **Approved By:** President João Goulart (promulgated on December 20, 1961).
- **Main Subjects:** Budget allocation, Federal District administration, 1962 fiscal year.
- **Publication Date:** December 20, 1961 ( Brasília).
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **LexML Identifier:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-12-20;4023.
- **Access URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4023.htm.
- **Aliases:** "Lei nº 4023, de 20 de dezembro de 1961".
- **Focus Area:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws.

## FAQs
**What was the primary purpose of Law No. 4023?**  
This law established the budget for the Federal District of Brazil for the 1962 fiscal year, outlining projected revenue and expenditures to support the governance and development of Brasília, the newly inaugurated capital.

**Who approved Law No. 4023?**  
The law was promulgated by President João Goulart on December 20, 1961, as part of his executive authority under Brazil’s federal system.

**Where does this law apply?**  
It applies specifically to the Federal District (Distrito Federal), which serves as Brazil’s capital and is governed directly by the federal government.

**How can the full text of this law be accessed?**  
The complete text is available via the official Brazilian government portal at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4023.htm, identified by its LexML URI: urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-12-20;4023.

**Why is this law historically significant?**  
It represents a key fiscal measure during Brazil’s transition to a new capital city (Brasília), ensuring financial planning for infrastructure and administrative operations in a critical period of national development.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4023 is significant as it underpinned the financial framework for Brasília’s early development after its inauguration in 1960. The law ensured the allocation of resources necessary for the capital’s growth, reflecting the government’s commitment to centralizing administrative functions in the new city. As part of Brazil’s legislative history, it exemplifies the fiscal mechanisms used to support large-scale urban projects and governance restructuring during the mid-20th century. Its enactment during João Goulart’s presidency also situates it within the political context of the time, preceding the 1964 military coup that altered Brazil’s political trajectory.

## Notable For
- **Budgetary Governance:** First budget law for the Federal District following Brasília’s inauguration.
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Enacted under President João Goulart, a pivotal figure in Brazil’s democratic history.
- **Digital Accessibility:** Available in the LexML database, a key resource for Brazilian legal documentation.
- **Historical Context:** Reflects fiscal priorities during Brazil’s modernization era and the consolidation of Brasília as a political and administrative hub.

## Body

### History and Context
Law No. 4023 was enacted in 1961, a year after Brasília’s inauguration as Brazil’s capital on April 22, 1960. The law addressed the financial needs of the newly established Federal District, which required substantial investment to develop infrastructure, public services, and administrative systems. This period marked a transition in Brazil’s geopolitical landscape, as the government sought to centralize power and stimulate economic growth in the interior of the country.

### Legal Provisions
The law specifically outlined the budget for the Federal District’s 1962 fiscal year, categorizing revenue sources and expenditure allocations. It adhered to Brazil’s constitutional requirements for fiscal transparency and legislative oversight, ensuring alignment with national economic policies of the time. Key provisions included funding for public works, administrative operations, and social services essential to sustaining the new capital.

### Approval and Promulgation
Promulgated by President João Goulart on December 20, 1961, the law followed standard legislative procedures, including review by the National Congress. Goulart’s role in approving the budget underscored the executive branch’s authority in fiscal matters, while also highlighting the political dynamics of the early 1960s, a period marked by institutional instability that eventually led to the 1964 military coup.

### Jurisdiction and Application
The law applied exclusively to the Federal District, a federal entity distinct from Brazil’s states. This jurisdictional focus ensured targeted resource allocation to meet the unique challenges of governing a newly constructed capital city, including urban planning, transportation, and public administration.

### Accessibility and Documentation
The law is documented in the LexML database (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-12-20;4023), a digital repository for Brazilian legislation. Its availability online via the Planalto portal ensures public access, reflecting Brazil’s commitment to legal transparency. The law is also notable for its inclusion in WikiProject Brazilian Laws, emphasizing its relevance to studies of Brazilian legislative history.

### Historical Significance
Law No. 4023 is a artifact of Brazil’s mid-20th-century modernization efforts, particularly the vision of President Juscelino Kubitschek, who spearheaded the construction of Brasília. By securing fiscal resources for the Federal District, the law supported the long-term viability of the capital and reinforced Brazil’s political and economic centralization. It remains a reference point for understanding the interplay between legislative action, urban development, and national identity in Brazilian history.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-12-20;4023)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4023&ano=1961&data=20/12/1961&ato=1f8k3YU5keVRVT96f)
3. LexML Brasil