# Law No. 6159 of December 6, 1974

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105659905](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105659905)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6159-of-december-6-1974

## Summary
Law No. 6159 of December 6, 1974, is a Brazilian federal statute primarily enacted to amend Law No. 5.919 of September 17, 1973, which authorized the constitution of SIDERBRAS (Siderurgia Brasileira S.A.). Promulgated by President Ernesto Geisel in Brasília, the law establishes legal norms concerning eminent domain, administrative competency, and corporate control within the Brazilian legal framework.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 6159, de 6 de dezembro de 1974.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6159/1974.
- **Date of Promulgation:** December 6, 1974.
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Promulgating Authority:** Ernesto Geisel, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Primary Function:** Amends specific provisions of Law No. 5.919 (1973) regarding the establishment of SIDERBRAS.
- **Classification:** Statute (an instance of a legal concept and subclass of written work, document, and rule).
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil.
- **Main Subjects:** Eminent domain (Desapropriação), administrative control (Controle), activity (Ações), legal norms (Normas), goals (Objetivo), and competency (Competencia).
- **Digital Identifiers:** LexML Brazil ID `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-12-06;6159`.
- **Online Access:** Available via the official Planalto government portal.

## FAQs

**What is the primary objective of Law No. 6159 of 1974?**
The law was specifically designed to alter the existing provisions of Law No. 5.919 from 1973. Its main focus was to refine the legal framework surrounding the constitution and operation of SIDERBRAS, the state-owned holding company for Brazilian steel.

**Who was responsible for approving and signing this law?**
Law No. 6159 was approved and promulgated by Ernesto Geisel, who served as the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil at the time. The act of promulgation took place on December 6, 1974, in the capital city of Brasília.

**What specific legal areas does this statute address?**
The statute covers several critical legal domains, most notably eminent domain (desapropriação) and the definition of organizational competencies. It also establishes norms for administrative control and the specific goals and actions required by the amended legislation.

**Is the text of Law No. 6159 accessible to the public?**
Yes, as a formal statute of the Brazilian government, the text is in the public domain. It is indexed in the LexML Brazil system and is hosted on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic (Planalto).

## Why It Matters
Law No. 6159 represents a significant legislative adjustment during a period of state-led industrial expansion in Brazil. By amending the founding legislation of SIDERBRAS, the law directly influenced the governance and legal powers of the national steel industry. Its provisions regarding eminent domain and administrative competency provided the legal mechanisms necessary for the state to manage large-scale industrial assets and infrastructure. Furthermore, as a statute, it serves as a "manifestation of statutory law," providing a definitive reference point for courts and administrators regarding the limits of executive and corporate authority in the mid-1970s.

## Notable For
- **SIDERBRAS Amendment:** Specifically notable for modifying the legal foundation of Siderurgia Brasileira S.A., a key entity in Brazil's industrial history.
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Signed by Ernesto Geisel during the military government era (1964–1985).
- **LexML Integration:** Fully indexed within the LexML Brazil project, ensuring standardized identification through a Uniform Resource Name (URN).
- **WikiProject Recognition:** Included in the focus list of the WikiProject Brazilian Laws.
- **Public Domain Status:** As an official legislative enactment, it is exempt from copyright, ensuring unrestricted public access to its legal norms.

## Body

### Legislative Context and Purpose
Law No. 6159 was enacted on December 6, 1974, to serve as an amendatory instrument for Law No. 5.919, which had been passed just over a year earlier on September 17, 1973. The primary purpose of this 1974 legislation was to modify the rules governing the constitution of SIDERBRAS (Siderurgia Brasileira S.A.), the government-controlled holding company tasked with overseeing the Brazilian steel sector. By altering these provisions, the law adjusted the state's approach to industrial management and corporate oversight.

### Legal Classification and Structure
As a **statute**, Law No. 6159 is categorized as a formal written document that creates law. In the broader taxonomy of legal concepts, it is considered a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." It functions as the concrete manifestation of statutory law within the Brazilian legal system. Structurally, the law is composed of "legal norms" and is preceded by "draft laws" that undergo the legislative process before being caused by a "legal act" or "legislation."

### Subject Matter and Scope
The law addresses several specific legal and administrative subjects:
*   **Eminent Domain (Desapropriação):** Establishing the rights and procedures for the state to acquire private property for public use or interest.
*   **Competency (Competencia):** Defining the legal authority and limits of the entities governed by the law.
*   **Control and Activity:** Setting the parameters for administrative oversight (Controle) and the specific actions (Ações) permitted under the statute.
*   **Goals and Norms:** Outlining the objectives (Objetivo) of the amended legislation and the regulatory standards (Normas) to be followed.

### Administrative and Geographical Details
The law was promulgated in **Brasília**, the capital of Brazil since 1960. At the time of its signing, Brazil was a federal republic under the presidency of **Ernesto Geisel**. The document is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**, the official language of the jurisdiction. It is identified in national legal databases by the citation **Lei nº 6159/1974** and is accessible via the official government URL provided by the Presidency of the Republic.

### Relationship to the Brazilian Legal System
Law No. 6159 is a part of the vast body of Brazilian statutory law. Brazil, the largest country in South America, operates under a civil law system where formal statutes are the primary source of legal authority. This law, like others of its kind, follows the "edict of government doctrine," meaning it is an official legal document not subject to copyright, ensuring it remains in the public domain for the benefit of the citizenry. It is indexed alongside other significant Brazilian legislation and is a subject of interest for specialized groups such as WikiProject Brazilian Laws.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-12-06;6159)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6159&ano=1974&data=06/12/1974&ato=d53g3Zq5kenRVTbcf)
3. LexML Brasil