# Law No. 4294 of December 12, 1963

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105647948](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647948)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4294-of-december-12-1963

## Summary
Law No. 4294 of December 12, 1963, is a Brazilian statute enacted during the presidency of João Goulart, focusing on the federal budget and financial exercise for the Union. It established key provisions for budgetary management and rectification processes, serving as a foundational legal document for Brazil’s financial governance during that period.

## Key Facts
- **Date Enacted:** December 12, 1963.
- **Country:** Brazil.
- **Approved By:** President João Goulart.
- **Instance Of:** Statute (formal written legal document).
- **Main Subjects:** Federal budget ("Orçamento"), financial exercise ("Exercicio Financeiro"), rectification ("Retificação"), and the Federal Government of Brazil ("União Federal").
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4294/1963.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Publication Date:** December 12, 1963.
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília.
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to Brazil.
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-12-12;4294.
- **Available At:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l4294.htm.

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 4294 of 1963?**  
This law governs the federal budget and financial exercise of the Brazilian Union, outlining procedures for budget management and rectification.

**Who approved Law No. 4294?**  
It was approved by President João Goulart on December 12, 1963, during his term as head of the Brazilian government.

**Where does this law apply?**  
The law applies exclusively to the jurisdiction of Brazil, specifically addressing the financial operations of 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/l4294.htm.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4294 of 1963 is significant for its role in shaping Brazil’s federal budgetary framework during a critical political period. It provided legal structure for financial planning and accountability, ensuring transparency in governmental expenditures and revenue management. As a statute enacted under President João Goulart, it reflects the economic policies of his administration and contributes to the historical record of Brazil’s legislative efforts to stabilize and regulate public finances. Its provisions on budget rectification underscored the need for adaptability in fiscal governance, impacting subsequent budgetary laws and practices in Brazil.

## Notable For
- **Budgetary Regulation:** Established procedures for the federal budget and financial exercise, influencing Brazil’s fiscal policies.
- **Rectification Process:** Introduced mechanisms for budget adjustments, ensuring flexibility in financial management.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during the politically tumultuous early 1960s, preceding the 1964 military coup.
- **Presidential Approval:** Directly associated with President João Goulart, a key figure in Brazilian political history.
- **Legal Documentation:** Exemplifies the structure and language of Brazilian statutory law during the mid-20th century.

## Body

### Legislative Context
Law No. 4294 was promulgated on December 12, 1963, under the administration of President João Goulart, who led Brazil from 1961 until his ouster in the 1964 military coup. This statute emerged during a period of political instability and economic challenges, reflecting efforts to institutionalize fiscal discipline amid social and political unrest. The law was published in the *Diário Oficial da União* (Official Gazette of the Union), Brazil’s primary legal publication, ensuring its dissemination and enforceability.

### Provisions and Impact
The law’s core focus was the **federal budget** ("Orçamento") and **financial exercise** ("Exercicio Financeiro"), detailing rules for the preparation, execution, and oversight of public finances. Key provisions included:
- **Budget Rectification:** Mechanisms for amending the budget during the fiscal year to address unforeseen revenue or expenditure needs.
- **Financial Transparency:** Requirements for documentation and accountability in governmental financial operations.
- **Scope:** Applied specifically to the **Federal Government of Brazil** ("União Federal"), distinguishing it from state or municipal budgetary laws.

### Legal and Historical Significance
As a **statute** (a formal written legal document), Law No. 4294 contributed to Brazil’s statutory law framework, classified under the broader category of "written work" and "rule." Its creation followed legislative processes, culminating in presidential approval. The law’s **LexML Brazil ID** (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-12-12;4294) and citation format ("Lei nº 4294/1963") adhere to Brazilian legal documentation standards, ensuring its integration into the national legal corpus.

### Accessibility and Legacy
The law remains accessible via the official government portal (https://www.planalto.gov.br/), reflecting Brazil’s commitment to public domain access for legal texts. Its provisions influenced subsequent budgetary legislation, including later statutes addressing fiscal responsibility and public expenditure. Historically, it serves as a reference point for scholars analyzing Brazil’s economic policies during the final years of the Fourth Republic (1946–1964).

### Technical Specifications
- **Language:** Written in Brazilian Portuguese, the official language of Brazil.
- **Jurisdiction:** Exclusively applicable to the Federal Government of Brazil, with no direct impact on state or local entities.
- **Structure:** Organized into articles addressing budget formulation, execution, and rectification, consistent with Brazilian legislative drafting conventions.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1963-12-12;4294)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4294&ano=1963&data=12/12/1963&ato=d41ITQ650MVRVTe9e)