# Law No. 8970 of December 28, 1994

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105647051](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647051)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-8970-of-december-28-1994

## Summary
**Law No. 8970 of December 28, 1994** (Portuguese: *Lei nº 8970, de 28 de dezembro de 1994*) is a Brazilian federal statute that mandates the transformation of the **Companhia de Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais (CPRM)** into a public enterprise (*Empresa Pública*). Promulgated in Brasília by President **Itamar Franco**, the law serves as a formal legal instrument creating statutory law within the jurisdiction of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

## Key Facts
- **Full Title:** Lei nº 8970, de 28 de dezembro de 1994.
- **Legal Classification:** Instance of a **statute** (a formal written document that creates law).
- **Date of Enactment:** December 28, 1994.
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil; promulgated by President **Itamar Franco**.
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil (Federative Republic of Brazil).
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, the federal capital of Brazil.
- **Primary Subject:** Transformation of the **Companhia de Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais (CPRM)** into a **public enterprise** (*Empresa Pública*).
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 8970/1994.
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Official Identifier:** LexML Brazil ID `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1994-12-28;8970`.
- **Official URL:** Available at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1989_1994/l8970.htm`.
- **WikiProject:** On the focus list of WikiProject Brazilian Laws.

## FAQs
**What is the primary function of Law No. 8970?**
The law officially transforms the Companhia de Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais (CPRM) into a public enterprise (Empresa Pública), altering its legal and administrative status within the Brazilian state.

**Who signed Law No. 8970 into effect?**
The law was approved via promulgation by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, with Itamar Franco serving as the signatory authority on December 28, 1994.

**What type of legal instrument is Law No. 8970?**
It is a **statute**, defined as a formal written document that creates law. As a subclass of "written work" and "rule," it acts as a manifestation of statutory law and results in a legal norm.

**Where is the official text of the law hosted?**
The digital text is accessible via the Brazilian government's Planalto Palace website and is indexed under the LexML identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1994-12-28;8970`.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 8970 matters because it fundamentally restructured the legal nature of a key Brazilian state entity, the **Companhia de Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais (CPRM)**. By converting the organization into a **public enterprise** (*Empresa Pública*), the law shifted its operational framework, likely influencing how the entity manages mineral resources research, generates revenue, and interacts with the market under Brazilian administrative law.

Furthermore, as a **statute**, it represents the exercise of democratic authority and the rule of law in Brazil. It serves as a concrete "manifestation of statutory law," ensuring that the restructuring of the CPRM is documented, accessible, and enforceable. In jurisdictions like Brazil, following principles similar to the "edict of government doctrine" cited in statutory law contexts, such legal texts are vital public records that provide the definitive reference for government administration and corporate governance of state-owned enterprises.

## Notable For
- **Structural Transformation:** Specifically targeted the Companhia de Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais (CPRM) for conversion into a public enterprise.
- **Promulgation Context:** Enacted during the presidency of Itamar Franco, a transitional period in Brazilian politics preceding the Fernando Henrique Cardoso administration.
- **Legal Standardization:** Identified by a structured LexML URN (`urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1994-12-28;8970`), fitting global standards for legal document identification.
- **Public Domain Status:** As a statute, it falls under the classification of "edict of government," making it a public document intended for unrestricted public access.

## Body

### Legislative Definition and Scope
Law No. 8970 is a **statute** enacted by the federal government of **Brazil**. In legal taxonomy, a statute is a formal written document that creates law, acting as a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." This law functions as a manifestation of statutory law, containing "legal norms" that are caused by the act of legislation.

The law is officially titled "Lei nº 8970, de 28 de dezembro de 1994" and is also known by the alias "Lei nº 8970, de 28 de dezembro de 1994." It applies to the jurisdiction of Brazil and was written in **Brazilian Portuguese**.

### Content and Provisions
The core content of the law is summarized in its digest: **"TRANSFORMA A COMPANHIA DE PESQUISA DE RECURSOS MINERAIS (CPRM) EM EMPRESA PUBLICA E DA OUTRAS PROVIDENCIAS"** (Transforms the Mineral Resources Research Company (CPRM) into a Public Enterprise and provides other measures).

Key subjects covered include:
- **Change (Transformation):** The act of changing the legal status of the entity.
- **Public Enterprise:** The classification of the new organizational structure for CPRM.

### Enactment and Authority
The statute was officially published on **December 28, 1994**, in **Brasília**, the capital of Brazil. The enactment process involved the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**.
- **Promulgation:** The law was promulgated by **Itamar Franco**, who was serving as the President (approver) at the time.
- **Legal Citation:** It is cited legally as **Lei nº 8970/1994**.

### Jurisdiction and Geographic Context
The law applies to the **Federative Republic of Brazil**, a country located in South America. Brazil is a federal republic with its capital in Brasília. As the world's fifth-largest country by area, Brazilian federal laws like Law No. 8970 apply to the entire national territory.

### Identification and Access
The law is cataloged in Brazilian legal databases with the following identifiers:
- **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1994-12-28;8970`
- **Work Available at URL:** `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1989_1994/l8970.htm`

It is maintained as part of the **WikiProject Brazilian Laws**, indicating its relevance in structured knowledge projects regarding Brazilian legislation. The document is classified under the broad concept of a **statute**, which is distinct from but related to "draft laws" (which precede it) and "legal acts" (which cause it).

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1994-12-28;8970)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=8970&ano=1994&data=28/12/1994&ato=e7egXUU50dJpWT938)
3. LexML Brasil