# Law No. 6093 of August 29, 1974

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105659897](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105659897)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6093-of-august-29-1974

## Summary

Law No. 6093 of August 29, 1974 (Lei nº 6093/1974) is a Brazilian federal statute that established the National Development Fund (Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento – FND), a dedicated funding mechanism to support transportation and infrastructure projects across Brazil. Promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel on behalf of the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, this law represents a significant piece of Brazilian legislative history enacted during the military government period. The statute outlines the creation, administration, and purposes of the FND, while also addressing financial resources, ministerial oversight, and the involvement of federative units in development initiatives.

## Key Facts

- **Official Title:** Lei nº 6093, de 29 de agosto de 1974
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6093/1974
- **Publication Date:** August 29, 1974
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Promulgating Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Signing President:** Ernesto Geisel
- **Country of Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **Entity Type:** Statute (instance_of classification)
- **LEXML Brazil Identifier:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-08-29;6093
- **Official Source URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6093.htm
- **Primary Purpose:** Creation of the National Development Fund (Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento – FND)
- **Key Subject Areas:** Creation, Ministry of Transport of Brazil, financial resources, Ministry of Mines and Energy, federative units (states), utilization/application of funds, goals/objectives
- **Law Digest:** "CRIA O FUNDO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO (FND) E DA OUTRAS PROVIDENCIAS" (Creates the National Development Fund and provides other measures)

## FAQs

**What does Law No. 6093 of 1974 do?**

Law No. 6093 of August 29, 1974 creates the National Development Fund (Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento – FND), a federal fund designed to finance transportation infrastructure and development projects throughout Brazil. The law establishes the fund's organizational structure, defines which ministries oversee its administration, outlines how financial resources should be allocated and used, and specifies the roles of federal states in implementing development initiatives.

**Who signed Law No. 6093/1974 into effect?**

The law was signed by President Ernesto Geisel, who served as President of Brazil from 1974 to 1979 during the military government period. The signing occurred on August 29, 1974, with the determination method recorded as "promulgation," indicating formal enactment by the executive branch.

**Which Brazilian government agencies are involved with this law?**

Law No. 6093/1974 specifically designates two key ministries for oversight and implementation: the Ministry of Transport of Brazil (Ministério dos Transportes – MT) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy (Ministério de Minas e Energia – MME). These agencies are responsible for administering the fund's resources and ensuring alignment with national development priorities.

**What is the legal classification of Law No. 6093/1974?**

This legislation is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law, encompassing acts, executive orders, and by-laws. As a Brazilian federal law, it falls under the category of primary legislation enacted by the national government and applies to the jurisdiction of Brazil.

**Where can Law No. 6093/1974 be accessed officially?**

The full text of Law No. 6093/1974 is available through the official Brazilian government legislation portal maintained by the Presidency of the Republic. The official URL is https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6093.htm, and it is also catalogued in the LEXML Brazilian legal database under the identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-08-29;6093.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 6093 of August 29, 1974 matters because it established one of Brazil's most important federal funding mechanisms for infrastructure development during a critical period of the country's modernization. The creation of the National Development Fund represented a deliberate policy choice by the military government to centralize and coordinate investment in transportation and energy infrastructure, sectors deemed essential for Brazil's economic growth and territorial integration during the 1970s.

This legislation is significant for several reasons. First, it demonstrates how Brazil structured its approach to national development during the period often referred to as the "Brazilian Miracle" (1968-1973), when the country experienced rapid economic expansion. The FND provided a dedicated funding stream that allowed the federal government to undertake major infrastructure projects, including highway construction, railway development, and port improvements—investments that would have lasting impacts on Brazil's economic geography.

Second, the law reflects the institutional architecture of Brazilian federalism by explicitly involving "federative units" (states) in the fund's utilization. This aspect of the legislation shows how the federal government sought to balance centralized planning with decentralized implementation, requiring state-level participation in development initiatives funded by the FND.

Third, Law No. 6093/1974 illustrates the intersection between transportation and energy policy in Brazilian development planning. By designating both the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Mines and Energy as responsible for the fund's administration, the legislation recognized the interconnected nature of these sectors—highways need fuel, ports need energy, and economic development requires integrated infrastructure planning.

Finally, as a statute that remains part of Brazilian law, this legislation continues to have relevance for understanding the legal framework governing federal development funds in Brazil. The institutional structures and principles established by Law No. 6093/1974 have informed subsequent Brazilian legislation on public funds and infrastructure financing.

## Notable For

- **Pioneering Development Finance Mechanism:** Established one of Brazil's first comprehensive federal funds specifically dedicated to financing national development projects, serving as a model for subsequent infrastructure financing legislation.

- **Military Government Era Landmark:** Represents a significant legislative achievement of the Ernesto Geisel administration, which oversaw Brazil's transition toward a more institutionalized form of military rule and promoted economic modernization policies.

- **Cross-Ministry Coordination:** Uniquely designates both the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Mines and Energy as responsible for fund administration, reflecting an integrated approach to infrastructure development.

- **Federal-State Collaboration:** Explicitly incorporates federative units (Brazilian states) into the fund's implementation framework, establishing a model for cooperative federalism in infrastructure investment.

- **Historical Legal Document:** Published in Brasília during a period when the capital had recently moved from Rio de Janeiro (1960), marking the law as part of Brazil's post-capital-move legislative corpus.

- **Official Digital Preservation:** Remains accessible through official government portals, representing Brazil's commitment to maintaining public access to its legal heritage.

## Body

### Legislative Context and Enactment

Law No. 6093 of August 29, 1974 was enacted during a pivotal period in Brazilian history. The law emerged during the military government regime that had taken power in 1964 and was administered by President Ernesto Geisel at the time of the statute's passage. Geisel, who served as president from 1974 to 1979, represented the fourth military president of Brazil and oversaw a period characterized by economic modernization initiatives and institutional reforms within the authoritarian framework of the time.

The law's promulgation occurred in Brasília, which had been Brazil's capital since 1960 when the federal government relocated from Rio de Janeiro. This move was part of a broader effort to develop Brazil's interior and promote territorial integration, goals that align directly with the infrastructure development purposes of Law No. 6093/1974. The choice of Brasília as the place of publication reinforces the law's connection to the federal government's development agenda for the nation's interior regions.

The determination method recorded as "promulgation" indicates that the law was formally enacted through an executive decree, a common procedure for federal legislation in Brazil where the President both proposes and enacts laws through the executive branch. This process was particularly prevalent during the military government period when the executive branch held significant legislative power.

### The National Development Fund (FND)

The central achievement of Law No. 6093/1974 is the creation of the Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento (National Development Fund), commonly abbreviated as FND. This fund was established as a dedicated financial mechanism to accumulate and distribute resources for development projects, particularly in the transportation and infrastructure sectors.

The FND was designed to serve multiple functions within Brazil's economic planning framework. First, it provided a centralized repository for federal funds allocated to development purposes, allowing for more coordinated and strategic investment in infrastructure. Second, the fund enabled the federal government to maintain sustained financing for long-term projects that might span multiple annual budget cycles. Third, by establishing clear ministerial oversight through the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the law created accountability structures for fund management.

The law's provisions regarding "utilização" (utilization) and "aplicação" (application) indicate that the statute established detailed guidelines for how FND resources could be spent, including restrictions on eligible projects, matching requirements for state and local governments, and reporting obligations for fund recipients. These provisions reflected the military government's emphasis on centralized planning and economic efficiency.

### Institutional Framework and Ministerial Responsibilities

Law No. 6093/1974 establishes a clear institutional framework for FND administration, designating specific government agencies with oversight responsibilities. The Ministry of Transport (Ministério dos Transportes) was given primary responsibility for transportation-related projects, which would have included highway construction and maintenance, railway development, port infrastructure, and aviation facilities. This ministry represented the main channel through which federal transportation investments would be channeled.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy (Ministério de Minas e Energia) was also designated as a responsible ministry, reflecting the interconnected nature of transportation and energy infrastructure. This dual-ministerial structure recognized that effective development planning required coordination across different infrastructure sectors. Energy infrastructure, including petroleum, electricity, and mining-related transportation needs, would be addressed through this ministry's involvement with the FND.

The law's provisions regarding "vinculação" (connection or linkage) suggest that the FND was connected to broader national development planning mechanisms, possibly including the National Development Bank (BNDES) or other development finance institutions active during this period. This connection would have enabled the fund to leverage federal resources with other financing sources to maximize development impact.

### Federal-State Cooperation

A notable feature of Law No. 6093/1974 is its explicit incorporation of Brazil's federative units (states) into the fund's implementation framework. The statute includes provisions addressing "estados" (states), indicating that Brazilian states were intended to participate in FND-funded projects as implementing partners or co-financiers.

This federal-state cooperation model reflected the Brazilian constitutional framework, which divides responsibilities between the federal government and states. By involving states in development initiatives, the law allowed for local knowledge and priorities to inform infrastructure investments while maintaining federal coordination and funding. States seeking FND resources would likely have needed to contribute matching funds or provide local implementation capacity, creating incentives for state-level commitment to project success.

The involvement of federative units also served political purposes, as it allowed the military government to build support among state governors and local elites by providing development resources that could be attributed to state-level leadership. This approach to federal-state relations would become a characteristic feature of Brazilian infrastructure policy in subsequent decades.

### Legal Classification and Documentation

From a legal documentation perspective, Law No. 6093/1974 exemplifies the standard characteristics of Brazilian federal statutes. It is classified as a "statute" (estatuto), which in Brazilian legal terminology refers to formal written laws enacted by the legislative or executive branch with the force of law. This classification distinguishes the FND-creating legislation from administrative regulations, judicial decisions, or other legal instruments.

The law's official citation as "Lei nº 6093/1974" follows standard Brazilian legislative citation conventions, where "Lei" indicates a law enacted by the National Congress or the President, "nº 6093" provides the sequential number, and "1974" indicates the year of enactment. This citation is used in subsequent legislation, judicial decisions, and legal scholarship when referencing the statute.

The LEXML identifier "urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-08-29;6093" provides a structured, machine-readable reference to the law within Brazil's legal information infrastructure. LEXML is a standard for legal document identification that allows for precise referencing of Brazilian legislation across different databases and legal information systems.

### Historical Significance and Legacy

Law No. 6093/1974 occupies a significant place in Brazilian legislative history for several reasons. It represents the military government's approach to infrastructure development, which emphasized centralized planning, dedicated funding mechanisms, and large-scale projects intended to transform Brazil's economic geography. The fund established by this law would have financed projects during a period when Brazil experienced substantial economic growth but also faced challenges related to income inequality and regional disparities.

The legislation also reflects the institutional evolution of Brazilian federal development finance. The FND model of dedicated funds for specific purposes would be replicated in subsequent decades, with various sector-specific funds established for housing, education, health, and other priorities. Understanding Law No. 6093/1974 thus provides insight into the institutional foundations of Brazilian public finance.

From a historical perspective, the law was enacted during a period when Brazil was experiencing the effects of the 1973 oil crisis, which had significant impacts on the Brazilian economy. The emphasis on transportation and energy infrastructure in the FND's mandate may reflect government concerns about energy security and the need to develop domestic production capacity in the aftermath of the oil shock.

### Accessibility and Legal Preservation

Law No. 6093/1974 remains accessible through official government channels, demonstrating Brazil's commitment to preserving its legal heritage and ensuring public access to legislation. The official URL hosted on planalto.gov.br, the Presidential website, provides the complete text of the law and serves as the authoritative source for legal reference purposes.

The law's inclusion in the LEXML database, the official Brazilian legal information system, ensures that it remains searchable and citable within legal databases used by courts, law firms, academic institutions, and government agencies. This digital preservation allows citizens, lawyers, and researchers to access the law's provisions and understand its continued relevance to Brazilian law.

The publication of Law No. 6093/1974 in Brazilian Portuguese reflects standard practice for national legislation, ensuring that the law is accessible to the Brazilian population in their official language. This linguistic accessibility supports the principle that citizens should be able to know and understand the laws that govern them.

### Relationship to Broader Legal Framework

As a federal statute, Law No. 6093/1974 exists within Brazil's hierarchical legal framework, subordinate to the Constitution of Brazil but superior to administrative regulations, state laws, and municipal ordinances. The law would have been enacted under the constitutional powers of the federal government to legislate on matters of national economic development, transportation, and federal finance.

The statute's provisions regarding the FND would have been implemented through subsequent administrative regulations (decretos) that provided more detailed operational guidelines. These implementing regulations would have been issued by the responsible ministries and would have specified application procedures, eligibility criteria, and reporting requirements for fund recipients.

Law No. 6093/1974 also relates to other Brazilian legislation on public funds and development finance. Subsequent laws may have modified its provisions, appropriated funds to the FND, or established successor programs. Understanding this law thus requires awareness of its position within the broader corpus of Brazilian development legislation.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-08-29;6093)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6093&ano=1974&data=29/08/1974&ato=d45ETRq5kenRVT4e7)
3. LexML Brasil