# Law No. 8508 of December 1, 1992

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105647574](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647574)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-8508-of-december-1-1992

## Summary
Law No. 8508 of December 1, 1992, is a Brazilian statute enacted to authorize the executive branch to open supplementary credits within the federal fiscal budget. Promulgated by President Itamar Franco, the law serves as a formal legal instrument for budget appropriation and the reinforcement of the Brazilian economy. It is a manifestation of statutory law, providing the necessary legal framework for the Federal Government of Brazil to adjust its financial goals and objectives.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 8508, de 1 de dezembro de 1992.
- **Date of Enactment:** December 1, 1992.
- **Classification:** Statute (formal written document that creates law).
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Promulgating Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, specifically signed by Itamar Franco.
- **Primary Subject Matter:** Supplementary Credit (Crédito Suplementar) and the opening of credit (Abertura De Crédito).
- **Functional Scope:** Authorization for the executive branch to reinforce the fiscal budget (Orçamento Fiscal).
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 8508/1992.
- **Official Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil.
- **Digital Identifier:** LexML Brazil URN `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1992-12-01;8508`.
- **Online Availability:** Hosted on the official Planalto government website (`planalto.gov.br`).
- **Project Affiliation:** Included in the focus list of WikiProject Brazilian Laws.

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 8508 of December 1, 1992?**
The law functions as a formal authorization for the Brazilian executive branch to open supplementary credits. These credits are intended to reinforce the federal fiscal budget and provide specific budget appropriations to meet government objectives.

**Who was the presiding authority when this law was approved?**
Law No. 8508 was approved and promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. It was specifically enacted under the administration of Itamar Franco on December 1, 1992.

**How is this law classified and identified in legal databases?**
It is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law. In digital legal systems, it is identified by the LexML Brazil URN `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1992-12-01;8508` and is officially cited as Lei nº 8508/1992.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 8508 is a critical instrument of fiscal governance in Brazil, ensuring that the executive branch has the legal mandate to adjust federal spending through supplementary credits. As a statute, it represents the tangible manifestation of statutory law, moving beyond abstract theory into a documented rule that governs the "União Federal" (Federal Union). By formalizing budget appropriations and economic reinforcements, it ensures that government financial actions are transparent, recorded, and compliant with the legislative requirements of the 1988 Constitution of Brazil. Furthermore, as an official legislative enactment, it exists in the public domain, reinforcing the principle of open access to the laws that govern the nation's fiscal health.

## Notable For
- **Fiscal Reinforcement:** Specifically designed to provide "Reforço" (reinforcement) to the Brazilian economy through budgetary adjustments.
- **Executive Authorization:** Serves as a direct legal bridge between the legislative framework and the executive branch's financial operations.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during a significant period of political transition in Brazil under President Itamar Franco.
- **Standardized Indexing:** Recognized by global and national knowledge systems, including LexML and the WikiProject Brazilian Laws.
- **Public Domain Status:** As a Brazilian statute, it is an official legal document exempt from copyright, ensuring public accessibility to its mandates.

## Body

### Legal Classification and Nature
Law No. 8508 of December 1, 1992, is categorized as a **statute**, a formal written document that serves as a manifestation of statutory law. In the broader legal hierarchy, a statute is a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." It is distinct from general legal acts or legislation in that it is the physical record of the rule enacted by a government authority. Like other statutes in jurisdictions such as the United States and France, Brazilian laws are generally considered to be in the public domain, ensuring that the public has unrestrained access to the rules they must follow.

### Legislative Origin and Approval
The law was promulgated in **Brasília**, the capital of Brazil, which has served as the seat of the federal government since April 22, 1960. It was approved by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil** on December 1, 1992. The official act of promulgation was carried out by **Itamar Franco**, who served as the President of Brazil during this period. The creation of this statute followed the standard legislative process where "draft laws" are transformed into official "statutory law" through the act of legislation.

### Subject Matter and Fiscal Objectives
The primary focus of Law No. 8508 is the management of the **Fiscal Budget** (Orçamento Fiscal) of the Federal Government (União Federal). The law addresses several interconnected legal and economic subjects:
*   **Supplementary Credit (Crédito Suplementar):** The core mechanism of the law, allowing for additional funds beyond the original budget.
*   **Opening of Credit (Abertura De Crédito):** The formal process of making these funds available for use.
*   **Budget Appropriation (Dotação Orçamentaria):** The specific allocation of funds for designated purposes.
*   **Economic Reinforcement (Reforço):** The underlying goal of the law is to strengthen the Brazilian economy through these targeted fiscal measures.
*   **Executive Authorization:** The law specifically empowers the **Executive Branch** to carry out these financial adjustments to meet defined goals and objectives.

### Jurisdiction and Language
The law applies to the jurisdiction of **Brazil**, the largest country in South America and a federal republic. As an official document of the Brazilian state, it is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**. The law governs the financial operations of the Federal Union, reflecting the centralized fiscal authority established under the **Constitution of Brazil** (effective since October 5, 1988).

### Digital Identification and Documentation
Law No. 8508 is heavily indexed in digital legal databases to ensure traceability and authoritative reference:
*   **LexML Brazil:** It is assigned the URN `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1992-12-01;8508`.
*   **Official Portal:** The full text is maintained by the Presidency's legislative database at `planalto.gov.br`.
*   **WikiProject:** It is a subject of interest for the **WikiProject Brazilian Laws**, which catalogs and organizes legal entities within the Wikimedia ecosystem.
*   **Citation:** The standard legal citation for this text is **Lei nº 8508/1992**.

### Institutional Context
As a statute of the Federative Republic of Brazil, this law is part of a legal system that governs a nation of over 213 million people. It operates within the framework of a representative democracy where the National Congress (composed of the Federal Senate and Chamber of Deputies) and the Presidency interact to create statutory rules. Law No. 8508 represents a specific instance where the legislative authority is exercised to facilitate the executive's management of national resources.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1992-12-01;8508)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=8508&ano=1992&data=01/12/1992&ato=442kXU610MFpWTb3f)