# Law No. 408 of September 24, 1948

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105649806](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649806)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-408-of-september-24-1948

## Summary
Law No. 408 of September 24, 1948 is a Brazilian statute that authorized the opening of a special credit line for the payment of materials destined for the Santos-Jundiaí railway. It was promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and represents a specific legislative act within Brazil's legal framework.

## Key Facts
- **Title:** Lei nº 408, de 24 de setembro de 1948
- **Type:** Brazilian statute (formal written document creating law)
- **Date of Approval:** September 24, 1948
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 408/1948
- **Main Subject:** Special budgetary adjustment for railway materials
- **Specific Focus:** Payment of materials for the Santos-Jundiaí railway
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to Brazil
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Publication Location:** Rio de Janeiro
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-09-24;408
- **Related Ministry:** Ministry of Transport of Brazil (Ministério da Viação e Obras Públicas)
- **Classification:** Instance of "statute" (subclass of written work, document, and rule)
- **WikiProject:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs

**What is Law No. 408 of September 24, 1948?**
Law No. 408 of September 24, 1948 is a Brazilian statute that authorized the opening of a special credit line specifically for the payment of materials destined for the Santos-Jundiaí railway. It was promulgated by the Brazilian presidency and represents a targeted legislative measure within Brazil's transportation infrastructure development.

**What was the purpose of this law?**
The primary purpose of Law No. 408 was to facilitate a special budgetary adjustment (Crédito Especial) to cover expenses related to materials (Material) needed for the Santos-Jundiaí railway (Ferrovia). This legislative act addressed specific financial requirements for railway infrastructure development under the authority of the Ministry of Transport of Brazil.

**When and where was this law published?**
Law No. 408 was approved and published on September 24, 1948, in Rio de Janeiro, which was then the capital of Brazil. The official publication established its legal effect within the Brazilian jurisdiction.

**What government body was responsible for this law?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil through the process of promulgation. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport of Brazil (Ministério da Viação e Obras Públicas), which oversaw transportation infrastructure projects at the time.

**How is this law classified in legal systems?**
Law No. 408 is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law. In knowledge systems, it is considered an instance of "statute" and a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." This classification places it within the broader category of legislative acts that have binding legal force.

**What is the significance of the Santos-Jundiaí railway in this context?**
The Santos-Jundiaí railway was a critical transportation corridor in Brazil, connecting the port city of Santos to the interior city of Jundiaí. Law No. 408 specifically addressed the financial needs for materials required to maintain or expand this railway infrastructure, demonstrating the government's focus on transportation development during this period.

**How can this law be referenced in legal documents?**
The official legal citation for this statute is "Lei nº 408/1948." It is also identified by its LexML Brazil ID: urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-09-24;408, which serves as a unique identifier in Brazilian legal databases.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 408 of September 24, 1948 represents an important historical example of Brazil's legislative approach to infrastructure development during the mid-20th century. This statute matters because it demonstrates how the Brazilian government addressed specific financial needs for critical transportation projects through targeted legislative measures.

The law's focus on the Santos-Jundiaí railway highlights the strategic importance of this transportation corridor, which connected Brazil's largest port (Santos) with interior regions, facilitating both domestic commerce and international trade. By authorizing special credit for railway materials, this legislation played a role in maintaining and potentially expanding Brazil's transportation infrastructure during a period of economic development.

As a formal statute, Law No. 408 also serves as a historical record of Brazil's legislative process and budgetary practices. It provides insight into how the Ministry of Transport managed financial allocations for infrastructure projects, offering valuable context for understanding Brazil's transportation policies during this era.

The law's preservation in legal databases (with its LexML identifier) ensures that researchers, legal professionals, and historians can access this specific legislative act, contributing to the comprehensive documentation of Brazil's legal and transportation history.

## Notable For

- **Targeted Infrastructure Funding:** One of the specific legislative measures addressing railway infrastructure needs in Brazil
- **Historical Transportation Policy:** Represents Brazil's approach to funding critical transportation corridors during the mid-20th century
- **Ministry of Transport Authority:** Demonstrates the ministry's role in managing railway infrastructure projects
- **Special Credit Mechanism:** Utilizes the "Crédito Especial" (special credit) budgetary tool for infrastructure funding
- **Santos-Jundiaí Railway Focus:** Specifically addresses the financial needs of this important transportation corridor
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Approved through the formal legislative process by the Brazilian presidency
- **Legal Documentation:** Preserved in Brazil's legal databases with a unique LexML identifier
- **Portuguese Language Legislation:** Written in Brazilian Portuguese, reflecting the country's official language
- **Rio de Janeiro Publication:** Published during the period when Rio de Janeiro served as Brazil's capital
- **WikiProject Brazilian Laws:** Included in the organized documentation of Brazilian legal history

## Body

### Legislative Context and Approval

Law No. 408 of September 24, 1948 was promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, representing the formal approval process for legislative acts in Brazil. The law underwent the standard legislative procedure before receiving presidential approval, which is the final step in the Brazilian legislative process for most statutes.

The approval occurred on September 24, 1948, during a period when Brazil was undergoing significant infrastructure development. This date marks the official enactment of the law, making it legally binding within the Brazilian jurisdiction. The promulgation process involved the formal publication of the law, which occurred in Rio de Janeiro, then the capital city of Brazil.

### Purpose and Scope

The primary purpose of Law No. 408 was to authorize the opening of a special credit line (Crédito Especial) specifically designated for the payment of materials (Material) needed for the Santos-Jundiaí railway (Ferrovia). This targeted approach demonstrates the Brazilian government's focus on addressing specific infrastructure needs through dedicated funding mechanisms.

The law falls under the broader category of special budgetary adjustments, which are legislative tools used to allocate funds for particular government expenditures outside the regular budgetary process. In this case, the adjustment was specifically tailored to meet the material requirements of the Santos-Jundiaí railway project.

### Railway Infrastructure Focus

The Santos-Jundiaí railway was a critical transportation corridor in Brazil, connecting the major port city of Santos with the interior city of Jundiaí. This railway served as an important link between Brazil's coastal regions and its interior, facilitating the movement of goods and people.

By focusing on this specific railway, Law No. 408 addressed a key component of Brazil's transportation infrastructure. The materials funded by this law would have been essential for maintaining, repairing, or expanding the railway's capacity, contributing to the overall efficiency of Brazil's transportation network.

### Governmental Oversight

The implementation of Law No. 408 fell under the authority of the Ministry of Transport of Brazil (Ministério da Viação e Obras Públicas). This ministry was responsible for overseeing transportation infrastructure projects, including railways, during this period.

The ministry's involvement in this legislative measure highlights the coordinated approach between Brazil's legislative and executive branches in addressing infrastructure needs. The special credit authorized by this law would have been managed and disbursed under the ministry's supervision.

### Legal Classification and Documentation

Law No. 408 is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law. In legal and knowledge systems, it is categorized as an instance of "statute" and a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." This classification places it within the broader framework of legislative acts that have binding legal force in Brazil.

The law is officially cited as "Lei nº 408/1948" in legal documents and references. It has been assigned a unique identifier in Brazil's legal database system: LexML Brazil ID urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-09-24;408. This identifier ensures that the law can be precisely located and referenced in legal research and documentation.

### Historical and Geographic Context

The law was published in Rio de Janeiro, which served as Brazil's capital until 1960 when the capital was moved to Brasília. This geographic context places the law within a specific period of Brazil's political and administrative history.

The publication in Rio de Janeiro also reflects the centralization of Brazil's legislative and administrative functions in that city during the mid-20th century. The law's focus on the Santos-Jundiaí railway, which connects to the port of Santos near Rio de Janeiro, demonstrates the strategic importance of this transportation corridor to the region.

### Language and Jurisdiction

Law No. 408 was written in Brazilian Portuguese, the official language of Brazil. This linguistic aspect is consistent with all Brazilian legislation and reflects the country's cultural and legal traditions.

The law applies specifically to the jurisdiction of Brazil, meaning its provisions and effects are limited to the Brazilian legal system and territory. As a federal law, it would have been applicable throughout the country, though its specific focus on the Santos-Jundiaí railway suggests particular relevance to the regions served by that transportation corridor.

### Related Legislative Framework

Law No. 408 exists within the broader context of Brazil's legislative framework for infrastructure development. It represents one of many targeted measures that the Brazilian government has used to address specific transportation needs through special budgetary adjustments.

The law is part of the historical record of Brazil's approach to railway infrastructure funding during the mid-20th century. It provides insight into the legislative tools and processes used to manage transportation projects during this period of Brazil's development.

### Preservation and Accessibility

The law has been preserved in Brazil's legal documentation systems, including its inclusion in the LexML database. This preservation ensures that legal professionals, historians, and researchers can access the original text and details of the legislation.

Law No. 408 is also included in WikiProject Brazilian Laws, which is an organized effort to document and categorize Brazilian legislation. This inclusion facilitates broader access to information about the law and its historical context.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-09-24;408)
2. LexML Brasil