# Law No. 490 of November 18, 1948

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105647750](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647750)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-490-of-november-18-1948

## Summary
Law No. 490 of November 18, 1948 is a Brazilian statute that authorizes a special budgetary credit for the Ministry of Transport. It provides specific funding for purchasing and railway construction projects.

## Key Facts
- **Full Title:** Lei nº 490, de 18 de novembro de 1948
- **Type:** Statute (formal written law)
- **Date of Enactment:** November 18, 1948
- **Country:** Brazil
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Citation:** Lei nº 490/1948
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-11-18;490
- **Wikimedia Project:** On focus list of WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs
**What is the purpose of Law No. 490?**
The law opens a special budgetary adjustment ("Credito Especial") to fund purchasing and railway construction. It specifically targets projects under the Ministry of Transport (historically "Ministerio Da Viação E Obras Publicas").

**Who approved and enacted this law?**
The statute was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil via promulgation on November 18, 1948.

**Where was the law published?**
The law was published in Rio de Janeiro, which was the federal capital of Brazil at that time (prior to the move to Brasília in 1960).

## Why It Matters
This statute is a legal instrument for allocating public funds to infrastructure development in post-World War II Brazil. By authorizing a special budgetary credit for the Ministry of Transport, it enabled specific expenditures on railways and public works. Laws like this provide a formal mechanism for the government to adjust its budget outside the ordinary annual cycle, addressing urgent needs or specific projects through earmarked funding.

## Notable For
- **Budgetary Mechanism:** Authorizes a "special budgetary adjustment" (Credito Especial) rather than standard appropriations.
- **Focus on Transport:** Directs funds to the Ministry of Transport (Ministerio Da Viação E Obras Publicas).
- **Infrastructure Investment:** Specifically targets purchasing ("Aquisição") and railway ("Ferrovia") development.

## Body

### Legal Classification and Identification
Law No. 490 of November 18, 1948 is formally classified as a **statute**—a written document that creates law. It falls under the jurisdiction of **Brazil** and is an instance of a legal act caused by legislation. The law's unique identifier in the Brazilian legal system is its **LexML Brazil ID**: `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-11-18;490`. It is legally cited as **Lei nº 490/1948**. The statute is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**.

### Subject Matter and Scope
The law's **main subject** is a "special budgetary adjustment," referred to in the text as "Credito Especial." This mechanism is used to allocate funds for specific purposes outside the regular budget. The law directs this credit toward the **Ministry of Transport of Brazil**, historically designated as "Ministerio Da Viação E Obras Publicas" (Ministry of Transport and Public Works). The specific activities funded include **purchasing** ("Aquisição") and the development of **railways** ("Ferrovia").

### Promulgation and Publication
The statute was enacted through **promulgation** by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil** on **November 18, 1948**. The **place of publication** was **Rio de Janeiro**, which served as the capital of Brazil until 1960. The publication date is inferred from the enactment date.

### Context and Governance
This law applies to the entire **Federative Republic of Brazil**. It is part of the broader body of Brazilian statutory law, which serves as the manifestation of legal rules enacted by the government. As a formal legal document, it is considered part of the public domain. The law is tracked by **WikiProject Brazilian Laws**, indicating its recognition in organized efforts to document Brazilian legislation.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-11-18;490)