# Law No. 6985 of April 13, 1982

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105650063](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105650063)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6985-of-april-13-1982

## Summary

Law No. 6985 of April 13, 1982 (Lei nº 6985/1982) is a Brazilian federal statute that authorizes the alienation of shares and capital rights owned by the Federal Government (União Federal) in private companies, and provides for other related measures. Promulgated by President João Figueiredo on April 13, 1982, and published in Brasília, this law represents a specific legislative act within Brazil's federal legal framework governing the disposal of government-owned equity interests in private enterprises.

## Key Facts

- **Official Title**: Lei nº 6985, de 13 de abril de 1982
- **Legal Citation**: Lei nº 6985/1982
- **Country**: Brazil
- **Jurisdiction**: Federal (applies throughout Brazil)
- **Publication Date**: April 13, 1982
- **Place of Publication**: Brasília
- **Promulgating Authority**: Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Signed By**: João Figueiredo (President of Brazil) on April 13, 1982
- **Language**: Brazilian Portuguese
- **Type**: Statute (formal written legal document)
- **LEXML Brazil ID**: urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-04-13;6985
- **Wikidata Description**: Brazilian law
- **Official Source URL**: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l6985.htm
- **Main Subject Matter**: Authorization for the sale of government-owned shares and capital rights in private companies
- **Classification**: Federal law enacted during Brazil's military government period (1964-1985)

## FAQs

**What does Law No. 6985 of April 13, 1982 authorize?**

Law No. 6985 authorizes the Federal Government of Brazil (União Federal) to sell or otherwise dispose of shares and capital rights that it owns in private companies. The law covers the alienation of equity interests held by the union in various private enterprises and provides additional provisions related to this authority.

**When was Law No. 6985 enacted and who signed it?**

Law No. 6985 was enacted on April 13, 1982, and was signed into law by President João Figueiredo, who served as President of Brazil from 1979 to 1985 during the military government period.

**What is the legal status of Law No. 6985?**

Law No. 6985 is a federal statute (lei) of Brazil, classified as a formal written legal document (statute) that creates law. It remains in force as part of Brazil's federal legislation, though users should consult current legal databases to verify its ongoing validity and any subsequent amendments.

**What subjects does Law No. 6985 cover?**

The law addresses several related subjects including: heritage/patrimony (Patrimonio), Federal Government of Brazil (União Federal), alienation/sale (Alienação), authorization (Autorização), shares/equity (Ações), quotas (Cota), the executive branch (Executivo), and matters related to municipalities and specific locations including Santa Catarina and Blumenau.

**Where can Law No. 6985 be accessed in full text?**

The full text of Law No. 6985 is available on the official website of the Brazilian Presidency at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l6985.htm and through the LEXML Brazilian legislative database.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 6985 of April 13, 1982 matters as a specific legislative instrument that established the legal framework for the Brazilian Federal Government to divest its ownership interests in private companies. This type of legislation is significant because it represents a formal mechanism through which the state can reduce its direct participation in the economy, transferring ownership of state-held shares to private investors. Such privatization and divestiture laws were particularly relevant during Brazil's military government period, when the state maintained significant economic influence through ownership stakes in various enterprises.

The law reflects a particular approach to economic management and state-owned assets, providing the legal authority necessary for the executive branch to execute transactions involving public patrimony. By authorizing the alienation of shares and capital rights, the statute enables the government to manage its investment portfolio, raise revenue through asset sales, and potentially reduce direct state involvement in certain economic sectors.

Additionally, Law No. 6985 serves as a historical document reflecting Brazil's legislative and economic policy approaches during the early 1980s, a period when the country was navigating significant economic challenges including debt crises and inflation. The law's provisions regarding heritage (patrimonio) also indicate concerns about protecting public assets even as the government divests from certain interests.

## Notable For

- **Privatization Authority**: One of the specific legal instruments granting the Federal Government of Brazil authority to sell state-owned shares in private companies
- **Historical Significance**: Enacted during Brazil's military government period (1964-1985), representing state economic policy of that era
- **Federal Scope**: Applies nationwide as a federal statute of Brazil
- **Executive Power Implementation**: Demonstrates the use of legislative authorization to enable executive branch management of government assets
- **Heritage Protection Context**: Addresses matters of public heritage (patrimonio) and government equity interests

## Body

### Legislative Context and Enactment

Law No. 6985 was enacted on April 13, 1982, during the military government period in Brazil, specifically under the administration of President João Figueiredo (1979-1985). This period was characterized by significant state intervention in the Brazilian economy, with the government maintaining ownership stakes in numerous enterprises across various sectors. The law emerged as part of the legal framework governing how the executive branch could manage these state investments.

The statute was promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, reflecting the presidential system through which federal legislation is enacted in Brazil. The formal process involved the President's signature, establishing the law's validity and force throughout the national territory. Publication occurred in Brasília, which had been Brazil's capital since 1960, making this a document of the federal government in the federal district.

### Legal Nature and Classification

Law No. 6985 is classified as a statute—a formal written document that creates law, encompassing acts, executive orders, and by-laws. In the Brazilian legal system, a "lei" (law) represents primary legislation enacted by the National Congress and signed by the President, or in certain cases promulgated directly by the executive branch. This particular law falls within the category of federal statutes (leis federais) and is part of the broader body of Brazilian legislation.

The law's classification as a statute places it within the hierarchy of Brazilian legal norms, where federal laws supersede state and municipal legislation in matters within federal competence. As a statute dealing with federal government assets and economic matters, it falls under the jurisdiction of the federal executive branch's authority to manage public property.

### Subject Matter and Content

The primary purpose of Law No. 6985 is to authorize the alienation (sale or transfer) of shares and capital rights owned by the Federal Government (União Federal) in private companies. This authorization represents a specific grant of power to the executive branch to dispose of government-held equity interests. The law addresses several interconnected subjects:

- **Heritage (Patrimonio)**: The law relates to the management and disposal of public heritage assets, specifically government-owned shares in private enterprises
- **Alienation (Alienação)**: The core authorization concerns the sale or transfer of ownership rights from the government to private parties
- **Shares and Capital (Ações)**: The law specifically addresses equity instruments—shares representing ownership interests in companies
- **Quotas (Cota)**: The legislation also covers quota interests, which represent ownership stakes in certain types of Brazilian business entities
- **Authorization (Autorização)**: The law provides the legal basis for the executive branch to undertake these transactions

The law also references specific geographic jurisdictions, including Santa Catarina (Estado De Santa Catarina) and the municipality of Blumenau, indicating that it may have particular relevance to certain regional or local contexts, possibly regarding specific state-owned enterprises or privatization transactions.

### Institutional Framework

Law No. 6985 operates within Brazil's federal executive branch structure. The law grants authority to the Federal Government (União Federal)—the executive branch at the federal level—to undertake the alienation of shares. This would involve government agencies responsible for managing state-owned assets, typically including the Ministry of Economy or predecessor ministries with oversight of state enterprises and government investments.

The law's connection to the executive branch (Executivo) reflects the typical pattern where legislatures authorize but do not directly execute the management of government assets. The executive branch, through its various agencies and state-owned enterprise holding companies, would implement the authority granted by this statute.

### Legal Citation and Documentation

Law No. 6985 is formally cited as "Lei nº 6985/1982" or "Lei nº 6985, de 13 de abril de 1982." The law has been assigned the LEXML Brazil identifier "urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-04-13;6985," which provides a standardized reference for Brazilian legislative documents. This identifier allows legal researchers, practitioners, and automated systems to locate and retrieve the law's text from official databases.

The official full text is available through multiple authoritative sources, including the Brazilian Presidency's legislative database (legislacao.presidencia.gov.br) and the official compilation of civil laws (planalto.gov.br). These platforms provide authenticated versions of the law's text, ensuring legal certainty and public access to the statute.

### Relationship to Broader Legal Framework

Law No. 6985 exists within a broader system of Brazilian legislation governing public assets, state-owned enterprises, and privatization. It represents one piece of legislation among many that define the legal framework for government ownership of equity in private companies and the conditions under which such ownership may be transferred.

The law's provisions regarding heritage (patrimonio) connect it to broader discussions of public property law in Brazil, including constitutional provisions regarding public assets, state-owned enterprises, and the distinction between government-owned entities and private companies in which the government holds minority or majority stakes.

### Historical and Economic Context

Enacted in 1982, Law No. 6985 emerged during a challenging period for the Brazilian economy. The early 1980s saw Brazil facing significant economic difficulties, including the aftermath of the 1979 oil shock, rising international interest rates, and the beginning of what would become a prolonged debt crisis. In this context, mechanisms for managing government assets and potentially raising revenue through asset sales became increasingly relevant.

The military government, which ruled Brazil from 1964 to 1985, maintained extensive state ownership in the economy through numerous state-owned enterprises and government holdings in private companies. Laws such as Law No. 6985 provided the legal tools for managing this extensive state economic presence, whether for purposes of raising revenue, improving efficiency, or gradually reducing state involvement in certain sectors.

### Access and Verification

For those seeking to consult Law No. 6985, the official text is accessible through Brazil's government portals. The primary source is the website of the Presidency of the Republic (www.planalto.gov.br), which maintains an archive of federal legislation. The law can be found in the section covering laws from 1980-1988, specifically at the URL ending in "l6985.htm."

Researchers and legal practitioners should note that while Law No. 6985 remains on the books as a federal statute, they should verify its current status, as laws may be amended, repealed, or have their provisions superseded by subsequent legislation. The LEXML system provides a comprehensive database of Brazilian legislation that can assist in determining the current legal status of this and related statutes.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1982-04-13;6985)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6985&ano=1982&data=13/04/1982&ato=30eMTUE9ENrRVTdc5)
3. LexML Brasil