# Law No. 503 of November 29, 1948

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105649776](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649776)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-503-of-november-29-1948

## Summary
Law No. 503 of November 29, 1948, is a Brazilian statute enacted to address specific budgetary adjustments and payment regulations. Promulgated during the presidency of Eurico Gaspar Dutra, it primarily concerns financial provisions related to the Ministry of Agriculture and teacher compensation. This law reflects Brazil’s legislative efforts to manage public expenditures systematically.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** November 29, 1948.
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (Eurico Gaspar Dutra).
- **Main Subjects:** Special budgetary adjustments, teacher compensation ("Gratificação De Magisterio"), Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil, and payment regulations.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 503/1948.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Publication Location:** Rio de Janeiro.
- **LexML Identifier:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-11-29;503`.
- **Related WikiProject:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws.

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 503 of 1948?**  
This law establishes special budgetary adjustments and payment regulations, focusing on financial provisions for the Ministry of Agriculture and teacher compensation in Brazil.

**Why was this law enacted in 1948?**  
It addressed specific fiscal needs during Eurico Gaspar Dutra’s presidency, reflecting broader efforts to systematize public spending and compensation structures in post-war Brazil.

**How does this law relate to the Ministry of Agriculture?**  
The statute explicitly references the Ministry of Agriculture, indicating its role in allocating or managing funds tied to agricultural policies or operations at the time.

**Is this law still in effect today?**  
While the current status is not specified in the source material, its historical significance lies in its contribution to Brazil’s legislative framework for budgetary management and public sector compensation.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 503 of 1948 is significant as it exemplifies Brazil’s mid-20th-century legislative approach to fiscal governance. By formalizing budgetary adjustments and payment protocols—particularly for critical sectors like agriculture and education—it underscores the government’s role in resource allocation during a period of national development. This law also highlights the legal mechanisms used to address public expenditure, influencing subsequent fiscal policies and reinforcing the institutional framework for financial management in Brazil.

## Notable For
- **Budgetary Regulation:** Establishes procedures for special budgetary adjustments, contributing to Brazil’s public finance legal framework.
- **Sectoral Focus:** Directly ties to the Ministry of Agriculture and teacher compensation, reflecting prioritized sectors in post-war Brazil.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during Eurico Gaspar Dutra’s administration (1946–1951), a period marked by economic stabilization efforts.
- **Legal Documentation:** Illustrates the structure of Brazilian statutory law, including formal promulgation and publication processes.

## Body

### Enactment and Legal Context
Law No. 503 was promulgated on November 29, 1948, by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, led by Eurico Gaspar Dutra. This statute falls under the broader category of Brazilian statutory law, functioning as a formal written document that creates legally binding regulations. As a subclass of "written work" and "document," it adheres to Brazil’s legislative process, which involves drafting, approval, and publication in the *Diário Oficial* (Official Gazette).

### Key Provisions and Subjects
The law’s primary focus areas include:
- **Special Budgetary Adjustments:** Mechanisms for modifying budget allocations to meet specific public expenditure needs.
- **Teacher Compensation ("Gratificação De Magisterio"):** Regulations governing supplementary payments or benefits for educators.
- **Ministry of Agriculture:** Financial provisions tied to agricultural policies, reflecting the sector’s economic importance in 1948.
- **Payment Regulations:** Procedures for disbursing funds, emphasizing transparency and accountability in public financial management.

### Historical and Administrative Significance
Enacted during Brazil’s Second Republic (1946–1964), this law aligns with the era’s emphasis on institutional modernization and economic stability. The explicit mention of the Ministry of Agriculture underscores the government’s focus on agrarian development, a cornerstone of Brazil’s economy at the time. Similarly, provisions for teacher compensation highlight efforts to standardize public sector remuneration, addressing social and educational priorities.

### Legal Documentation and Accessibility
The statute is identified by the LexML URI `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-11-29;503`, ensuring its traceability within Brazil’s legal information system. Published in Rio de Janeiro, then the capital, it adheres to the constitutional requirement for laws to be publicly disseminated. As a Brazilian Portuguese-language document, it reflects the country’s linguistic and legal norms, contributing to the accessibility of statutory law.

### Related Entities and Projects
This law is associated with **WikiProject Brazilian Laws**, a collaborative initiative to document and analyze Brazil’s legislative history. Its inclusion in this project underscores its relevance to understanding the evolution of Brazilian statutory law, particularly in the context of 20th-century fiscal and administrative reforms.

### Structural and Technical Details
- **Approval Date:** November 29, 1948.
- **Publication Date:** November 29, 1948 (inferred from promulgation).
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro, the federal capital at the time.
- **Legal Citation Format:** "Lei nº 503/1948," consistent with Brazilian legal referencing standards.
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies exclusively to the Federative Republic of Brazil, with no extraterritorial scope indicated.

### Legacy and Impact
While the law’s direct long-term effects are not detailed in the source material, its enactment during a formative period in Brazil’s legislative history positions it as a foundational element in the country’s statutory framework. By addressing budgetary and compensation issues, it contributed to the development of standardized financial practices, influencing later legislation in public administration and fiscal policy.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1948-11-29;503)