# Law No. 9538 of December 12, 1997

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105647377](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647377)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-9538-of-december-12-1997

## Summary
Law No. 9538 of December 12, 1997, is a Brazilian statute enacted to address budgetary allocations and financial resources for the Federal Government, states, municipalities, and the Federal District. Promulgated by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, it authorized supplementary credit to reinforce specific economic initiatives. This law plays a critical role in Brazil's fiscal management framework.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** December 12, 1997
- **Promulgated By:** President Fernando Henrique Cardoso
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 9538/1997
- **Primary Focus:** Budgetary allocations, supplementary credit, and financial resource management
- **Applies To:** Federal Government, states, municipalities, and the Federal District
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Publication Date:** December 12, 1997
- **Publication Location:** Brasília
- **Official Source:** Planalto Government Portal (https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1995_1997/l9538.htm)
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1997-12-12;9538
- **Related Entities:** 
  - Brazilian Presidency
  - Federal Government of Brazil
  - Federative Units of Brazil (states, municipalities, Federal District)
- **Key Provisions:** 
  - Authorization of supplementary credit
  - Allocation of financial resources for economic reinforcement
  - Fiscal management directives for governmental entities

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 9538 of December 12, 1997?**  
This law authorizes supplementary credit to strengthen financial resources for the Federal Government, states, municipalities, and the Federal District, focusing on economic reinforcement through budgetary allocations.

**Who enacted Law No. 9538, and when was it promulgated?**  
The law was promulgated by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso on December 12, 1997, following approval by the Brazilian Presidency.

**Which governmental entities does Law No. 9538 apply to?**  
The statute applies to the Federal Government, individual states, municipalities, and the Federal District, ensuring coordinated fiscal management across Brazil's federative units.

**Where can the full text of Law No. 9538 be accessed?**  
The official text is available on the Planalto Government Portal at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1995_1997/l9538.htm, with additional details via the LexML Brazil identifier.

**What distinguishes Law No. 9538 from other Brazilian statutes?**  
It specifically addresses supplementary credit authorization and fiscal resource allocation, reflecting its role in Brazil's economic strategy during the late 1990s under President Cardoso's administration.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 9538 of December 12, 1997, is significant for its role in shaping Brazil's fiscal policies during a critical period of economic stabilization. By authorizing supplementary credit, the law facilitated targeted financial resource allocation to bolster economic initiatives across federal, state, and municipal levels. This legislative action underscores the Brazilian government's efforts to maintain fiscal discipline while addressing developmental needs, particularly under the administration of President Fernando Henrique Cardoso. The law's provisions directly influenced public spending strategies, impacting infrastructure projects, social programs, and governmental operations nationwide. As a foundational fiscal statute, it remains a reference point for understanding Brazil's budgetary mechanisms and the interplay between executive authority and legislative oversight in resource management.

## Notable For
- **Economic Stabilization Measure:** Part of the broader fiscal framework during Brazil's economic reforms in the late 1990s.
- **Supplementary Credit Authorization:** Specific focus on reinforcing financial resources for governmental entities.
- **Federative Scope:** Applies comprehensively to all levels of Brazilian governance, ensuring uniform fiscal practices.
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Directly associated with President Fernando Henrique Cardoso's economic policy agenda.
- **Public Accessibility:** Freely available via official government portals, reflecting Brazil's commitment to legislative transparency.

## Body

### Legislative Context and Enactment
Law No. 9538 was enacted on December 12, 1997, during the presidency of Fernando Henrique Cardoso, a period marked by significant economic reforms in Brazil. The statute was promulgated as part of the government's efforts to stabilize the economy and manage public finances effectively. It falls under the broader category of Brazilian fiscal legislation, designed to regulate budgetary processes and resource allocation.

### Key Provisions and Scope
The law's primary objective is to authorize supplementary credit for the Federal Government, states, municipalities, and the Federal District. This authorization aimed to reinforce financial resources dedicated to specific economic initiatives, ensuring that governmental entities at all levels could execute their budgets efficiently. Key provisions include:
- **Supplementary Credit Allocation:** Detailed directives for the distribution of additional financial resources.
- **Fiscal Management:** Guidelines for the application of these resources, emphasizing transparency and accountability.
- **Jurisdictional Coverage:** Explicit inclusion of all federative units, underscoring the law's national scope.

### Application and Impact
Law No. 9538 applies uniformly across Brazil's governmental structure, from the federal administration to local municipalities. Its implementation facilitated the execution of public projects and programs, contributing to economic growth and stability during the late 1990s. The law's emphasis on supplementary credit reflects the government's strategy to address emerging financial needs without compromising fiscal discipline. By doing so, it played a pivotal role in supporting infrastructure development, social services, and administrative operations nationwide.

### Related Entities and Governance
The statute is intrinsically linked to several key entities within Brazil's governance framework:
- **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil:** The executive authority responsible for the law's promulgation.
- **Federal Government of Brazil:** The primary beneficiary of the supplementary credit, enabling the implementation of national policies.
- **Federative Units:** States, municipalities, and the Federal District, which relied on the law's provisions to manage local budgets and initiatives.
- **Legislative Oversight:** The National Congress of Brazil, which reviewed and approved the legislative proposal preceding the law's enactment.

### Historical and Legal Significance
As a product of the late 1990s, Law No. 9538 is emblematic of the economic policies pursued during Cardoso's administration, which focused on stabilization and growth. The law's structure and intent align with Brazil's constitutional principles, particularly those outlined in the 1988 Constitution, which mandate balanced fiscal management and equitable resource distribution. Its enactment demonstrates the interplay between executive action and legislative approval in addressing Brazil's complex fiscal challenges.

### Accessibility and Transparency
The full text of Law No. 9538 is publicly accessible via the Planalto Government Portal and the LexML Brazil platform, ensuring transparency and accountability. This accessibility reflects Brazil's commitment to open governance, allowing citizens, researchers, and policymakers to scrutinize and understand the legal foundations of fiscal policy. The law's digital availability also facilitates its integration into broader discussions on economic history and legislative evolution in Brazil.

### Comparative Context
Within the corpus of Brazilian statutes, Law No. 9538 stands out for its targeted focus on supplementary credit and fiscal reinforcement. While other laws may address broader budgetary frameworks or specific sectoral allocations, this statute's unique contribution lies in its timely authorization of additional resources during a critical economic period. Its provisions complement existing fiscal legislation, collectively forming a robust system of financial governance that underpins Brazil's public administration.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1997-12-12;9538)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=9538&ano=1997&data=12/12/1997&ato=9dcUTVE1ENJpWT816)