# Law No. 6115 of October 8, 1974

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105660057](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105660057)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6115-of-october-8-1974

## Summary

Law No. 6115 of October 8, 1974 (Lei nº 6115/1974) is a Brazilian federal statute that authorizes supplementary budget credits for the Government of the Federal District (Distrito Federal), enabling the reinforcement of government finances through additional budget appropriations. Promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel on this date, the law represents a formal legislative act passed by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and constitutes part of Brazil's statutory legal framework governing public finance and budget allocation.

## Key Facts

- **Official Title:** Lei nº 6115, de 8 de outubro de 1974
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6115/1974
- **Country:** Brazil
- **Publication Date:** October 8, 1974
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Promulgating Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **President at Time:** Ernesto Geisel (determination method: promulgation)
- **Instance Of:** Statute (formal written document that creates law)
- **Applies To Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **LEXML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-10-08;6115
- **Main Subjects:** Credito Suplementar (Supplementary Credit), Reforço (Reinforcement/Economic Reinforcement), Government of Distrito Federal (GDF), Dotação Orçamentaria (Budget Appropriation)
- **Work Available At:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6115.htm

## FAQs

**What is Law No. 6115 of October 8, 1974?**

Law No. 6115 of October 8, 1974 is a Brazilian federal law that authorizes supplementary budget credits (crédito suplementar) for the Government of the Federal District, allowing for budget reinforcement and additional appropriations to support government operations in Brasília.

**Who enacted Law No. 6115/1974?**

The law was promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel, who served as President of Brazil from 1974 to 1979. The law was enacted through the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil on October 8, 1974.

**What is the subject matter of Law No. 6115/1974?**

The law addresses several key subjects: supplementary credit (Crédito Suplementar), reinforcement of government finances (Reforço), the Government of the Federal District (Governo do Distrito Federal), and budget appropriations (Dotação Orçamentária). It relates to public finance and budgetary matters specific to the Federal District.

**Where can Law No. 6115/1974 be accessed?**

The full text of the law is available through the official Brazilian government website at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6115.htm, and through the LEXML legal database at the identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-10-08;6115.

**What type of legal document is Law No. 6115/1974?**

As a statute, Law No. 6115/1974 is a formal written document that creates law. It is classified as an instance of "statute" and functions as a manifestation of statutory law within the Brazilian legal system, specifically falling under the category of laws enacted by the federal government.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 6115 of October 8, 1974 matters because it represents a specific legislative mechanism through which the Brazilian federal government allocates additional budgetary resources to the Federal District (Distrito Federal), where Brasília—the nation's capital—is located. This type of supplementary credit law is significant in Brazilian public finance because it allows the government to address budget shortfalls, reinforce specific financial allocations, or provide additional funding for government operations beyond the originally approved budget.

The law's importance is amplified by its connection to the Federal District, which occupies a unique constitutional position in Brazil—not being a state but rather a distinct federal entity that houses the nation's capital. Budgetary matters for the Federal District often require federal authorization, making laws like this essential for the functioning of Brazil's seat of government.

Furthermore, this law exemplifies the relationship between the federal executive branch (through presidential promulgation) and the legislative process in Brazil's presidential system. The law was enacted during Brazil's military dictatorship period (1964-1985), a time when significant centralization of power in the executive branch occurred, including over budgetary matters.

## Notable For

- **Federal District Budget Authorization:** One of the specific legislative instruments authorizing supplementary credits for the Government of the Federal District (GDF)
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Enacted through direct presidential authority by Ernesto Geisel, reflecting the executive-centered lawmaking of Brazil's military government period
- **Historical Legal Document:** Represents a piece of Brazilian legislation from the 1970s, a period of significant economic and political development in Brazil
- **Public Finance Tool:** Demonstrates the use of supplementary credit (crédito suplementar) as a mechanism for government budget management in Brazil

## Body

### Legislative Context and Enactment

Law No. 6115 of October 8, 1974 was promulgated during Brazil's military government period, a time when the country was under military rule following the 1964 coup. President Ernesto Geisel, who served from 1974 to 1979, was the head of state at the time of this law's enactment. The law represents a formal act of the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, reflecting the executive branch's significant legislative authority during this period of Brazilian history.

The law was published in Brasília, which had been Brazil's capital since 1960, replacing Rio de Janeiro. The move of the capital to Brasília had been mandated by the 1946 Constitution and represented a major urban and political development project. The Federal District, where Brasília is located, required special budgetary arrangements given its unique constitutional status.

### Legal Classification and Structure

As a statute, Law No. 6115/1974 falls within the classification of formal written documents that create law in Brazil. It is categorized as an act (ato) passed by the federal executive branch and represents a specific type of legislative instrument—supplementary credit legislation. The law is formally cited as "Lei nº 6115/1974" and carries the LEXML identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-10-08;6115, which allows for precise legal referencing within Brazilian legal databases.

The statute is written in Brazilian Portuguese, as is all federal legislation in Brazil, and applies to the jurisdiction of Brazil as a whole, with specific provisions targeting the Federal District.

### Subject Matter: Supplementary Budget Credits

The primary subject of Law No. 6115/1974 is supplementary credit (Crédito Suplementar), a budgetary mechanism used by the Brazilian government to authorize additional expenditures or reallocate funds beyond the originally approved annual budget (Lei de Diretrizes Orçamentárias and Lei Orçamentária Anual).

The law also addresses:
- **Reforço (Reinforcement):** Provisions for strengthening or reinforcing government financial allocations, likely referring to additional funding for specific government functions or programs
- **Government of the Federal District (GDF):** The law specifically targets the Government of the Federal District, recognizing Brasília's unique administrative status as both a city and a federal district
- **Dotação Orçamentária (Budget Appropriation):** The law governs the allocation and reallocation of budgetary resources, establishing how additional funds should be distributed and spent

### Access and Legal Documentation

The full text of Law No. 6115/1974 is preserved in Brazil's official legal databases. The law can be accessed through the official website of the Presidency of the Republic at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6115.htm, which hosts Brazil's civil legislation. It is also catalogued in LEXML, Brazil's centralized legal information system, under the identifier that includes the jurisdiction (br), type (federal), law type (lei), date (1974-10-08), and number (6115).

### Relationship to Brazilian Legal Framework

Law No. 6115/1974 exists within Brazil's broader statutory framework governing public finance and territorial administration. The Federal District holds a special constitutional position in Brazil—neither fully a state nor a municipality, it is a distinct federal entity created to house the nation's capital. As such, the Federal District's government often requires federal authorization for certain actions, including budgetary matters.

This law represents one example of how the federal government exercises oversight and provides financial support to the Federal District through supplementary budget authorizations. Such mechanisms allow the federal government to ensure the proper functioning of the capital city while maintaining fiscal control.

### Historical Significance

Enacted in 1974, this law emerged during a period of significant economic development in Brazil, known as the "Brazilian Miracle" (Milagre Brasileiro), which saw rapid industrial growth and urbanization from 1968 to 1973. While 1974 marked the beginning of the oil crisis impact on Brazil's economy, the period was still characterized by substantial government investment in infrastructure and development projects, including in Brasília.

The law's existence demonstrates how the Brazilian government managed its finances during this period, using supplementary credit mechanisms to address budgetary needs that arose throughout the fiscal year. This approach to public finance management remains a feature of Brazilian governmental operations to this day.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-10-08;6115)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6115&ano=1974&data=08/10/1974&ato=125MTTq5kenRVTee8)