Minas Gerais administrative and legal developments

The state of Minas Gerais has implemented several administrative and legal changes. Following the implementation of Federal Law No. 14.382/22, the state has seen a significant increase in name changes through civil registry offices, ranking second in Brazil. This legislation allows adults to change their first names without judicial intervention or specific legal justification.

Additionally, the state government issued Decree No. 49.298 to establish transition rules for the implementation of the General Law of Environmental Licensing (Federal Law No. 15.190/2025). This decree modifies state regulations, including Decree No. 47.383/2018, and dictates that current licensing modalities, procedures, and analysis deadlines will remain in effect until specific activity typologies are defined.

Under these rules, activities classified as exempt under federal law will no longer require licensing. Ongoing processes for such activities must be terminated and archived, with entrepreneurs receiving a declaratory certificate of non-subjection. However, exemption from licensing does not waive the obligation to adopt environmental control measures or obtain other legally required authorizations. The decree also establishes new communication protocols for authorities protecting indigenous, quilombola, and traditional communities, as well as protected cultural assets and conservation units. Furthermore, Terms of Reference (TR) guiding environmental studies must be provided within 30 days of a request, subject to a possible one-time extension for justified reasons.