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The 1776 ConstitutionThe laws of the land, set down plainly — and put to the people, one provision at a time.

The Pennsylvania Register

Every law Pennsylvania has passed

55,382 acts of the General Assembly, from William Penn’s first assembly in 1682 to 2026. Until 1874 much of the Assembly’s work was “special” legislation for a single person, company or town: a divorce, a road, a tavern license. That year’s constitution barred local and special laws on most subjects, and the yearly count fell; lately it is about 150.

Not yet complete · The state has not yet digitized its session laws act by act for most years between 1851 and 1949. We filled what we could from scans of the printed volumes: every year from 1851 to 1875 and most sessions from 1877 to 1907. A computer read those titles, so they can contain misspellings, and a few acts in each year were missed. Most years from 1909 to 1949 are still thin (marked below). Every other year is complete, from 1682 through 1850 and from 1950 to today.

Clear

5,371 laws of the 1850s

Constitution of 1838

  1. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Chartiers Valley llailroad Company, passed February seven, one tliousaiad eight hundred and fifty-three.

    Act 279 of 1855 · P.L. 262 · April 18, 1855 · Scanned page

  2. Repealing the supplement to an act passed March thirteenth, one thjusand eight hundred and fifteen, authorizing sales of unseated lands, passed the nineteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, extending to Sullivan eounty.

    Act 280 of 1855 · P.L. 263 · April 18, 1855 · Scanned page

  3. Supplement to the act Consolidating the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 281 of 1855 · P.L. 264 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  4. Supplementnl to the act, entitled "An Act relative to the Enon Valley Coal Company," passed the eighth February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-live.

    Act 282 of 1855 · P.L. 271 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  5. To repeal the eighth section of an act passed the twentieth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, relative to a State road in Clarion and Forest counties.

    Act 283 of 1855 · P.L. 271 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  6. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act for the Relief of the Presbyterian Church and Congregation of Wellsboro'.'' Whekkas, It appears by the petition of J. F. Calkins, S. E. Ensworth, Robert Roy, G. D. Smith, Alexander Brewster, R. G. White and others, that there is a doubt whether the trustees elected on the first Monday of September, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, by

    Act 284 of 1855 · P.L. 272 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  7. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Odd FelloTfs' Hall Association ©f York county.

    Act 286 of 1855 · P.L. 273 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  8. Authorizing the laying out and opening a State Road from the west end of the Emlinton Bridge, in Venango county, to the borough of Mereer, in Mercer county.

    Act 287 of 1855 · P.L. 274 · 1855 · Scanned page

  9. To an aet to incorporate the Tillage of Shrewsbury, in the county of York, into a Borough.

    Act 288 of 1855 · P.L. 275 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  10. To authorize the borough of Norristown to borrow money.

    Act 289 of 1855 · P.L. 278 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  11. For the Relief of Elsy Gold, widow of an old soldier.

    Act 290 of 1855 · P.L. 278 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  12. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act to prevent Fishing in Big Chiquesalunga creek, in Lancaster county," approved the fourth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 291 of 1855 · P.L. 279 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  13. For the Relief of Jane Jamison, widow of an old soldier.

    Act 292 of 1855 · P.L. 280 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  14. Supplement to an act incorporating the Kensington Gas Company, Philadelphia countj'.

    Act 293 of 1855 · P.L. 280 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  15. To repeal an act, entitled " An Act to re-annex certain Farms to Clarksville borough, in Mercer county.

    Act 295 of 1855 · P.L. 282 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  16. To eztend the time for commencing and completingthe Wysauking and Wappasening Plank Road.

    Act 296 of 1855 · P.L. 282 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  17. Establishing Fees for Commitments to Houses of Refuge. Sectiox 1.

    Act 297 of 1855 · P.L. 283 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  18. For the defining the Boundary Line between the city of Philadelphia and Montgomery county.

    Act 298 of 1855 · P.L. 283 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  19. Authorizing tte North Lebanon Railroad Company to borrow money. Sectjox

    Act 300 of 1855 · P.L. 285 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  20. Supplement to an act 60 incorporate the Thomas Iron Company, approved April fourth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.

    Act 301 of 1855 · P.L. 286 · April 23, 1855 · Scanned page

  21. Supplement to an act to incnrporato the Valley and Mountain Turnpike ami Plank Road Company, approTcd the fourteenth day of April, Anno l>umini eighteen hundred and fifty-one.

    Act 302 of 1855 · P.L. 286 · April 23, 1855 · Scanned page

  22. To iucorporatc the Edgebill and Abington Valley Turnpike Company.

    Act 303 of 1855 · P.L. 288 · 1855 · Scanned page

  23. To vest in Nancy Christy the right of this Commonwealth to the Estate of Prudence Christy, late of Dunbar township, ]?ayctte county, deceased. Sectiojn^ 1.

    Act 304 of 1855 · P.L. 289 · April 23, 1855 · Scanned page

  24. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Danyille Gas Company, in the county of Montour.

    Act 305 of 1855 · P.L. 290 · April 23, 1855 · Scanned page

  25. Supplement to an act. entitled "An Act to incorporate the President and Managers of the Silver Lake Turnpike Road Company,'" et cetera, approved the twenty-lifth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and fifty.

    Act 307 of 1855 · P.L. 292 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  26. Kegulating the Measurement of Paving St«nes in the city of Philadelphia, and the counties of Northampton and Allegheny.

    Act 308 of 1855 · P.L. 293 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  27. Repealing the thirteenth section of an act relative to Public Roads in Mifflin county, and for other piirposes.

    Act 309 of 1855 · P.L. 293 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  28. To extend the borough of Athens, in the county of Bradford,

    Act 310 of 1855 · P.L. 294 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  29. Supplementary to an act to incnrpornte tlie Limerick and Colebroolcdalc Turnpike Company, passed the fifteenth March, one thousand eight hundred and fortyseven, and the supplement thereto.

    Act 312 of 1855 · P.L. 300 · 1855 · Scanned page

  30. Relative to the borough of Shirlcysburg. Wi-iEREAS, Certain real estate in the late township of Shirieysbarsf, has, by a compromise or agreement of the parties in Preamble. interest, been added to and included within the borough of Shirleysburg, in said township, and has been assessed as a part thereof for borough purposes : uind whereas., Doubts have arisen as to the legality of the

    Act 313 of 1855 · P.L. 301 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  31. an act, entitled '• An Act relating to tbe lien of niechnnics and others and to SMles to enforce the payment of liens " Sectio V 1.

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 303 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  32. To nn acf to amend and consolidate with its supplement?, an act for the Recovery of Debts and Demands not exceeding one hundred dollars, before a Justice of the Peace, and for the election of Constables, and for other purposes, approved the twentieth ef March, one thousand eight hundred and ten.

    Act 316 of 1855 · P.L. 304 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  33. To change the time for holding the terms of the Supreme Court.

    Act 317 of 1855 · P.L. 305 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  34. To legitimate John

    Act 318 of 1855 · P.L. 306 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  35. To increase the pay of CommissioiieTS, and in relation to certain duties of Township Auditors, in the counties of Delaware, Blair and Lancaster.

    Act 319 of 1855 · P.L. 306 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  36. Relative to the Survey of Streets and Alleys in the borough of York.

    Act 320 of 1855 · P.L. 307 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  37. Supplement to the act for the prevention of Frauds and Perjuries, passed twentj-firet ol March, one thousand beveu hundred and soventj-two.

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 308 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  38. Relating to Damages for Icjuries Producing Death.

    Act 323 of 1855 · P.L. 309 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  39. To authorize and empower the Court of Common Pleas of Mercer county to legitimate certain persons who were emancipated by the last will and testament of Dr. C. D. Everett, late of Albemarle county, Virginia.

    Act 324 of 1855 · P.L. 310 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  40. Relative to the approving of bonds given by applicants for tavern licenses in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 325 of 1855 · P.L. 311 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  41. To extend the width of Chatham street and open part of Tioga street, in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 326 of 1855 · P.L. 312 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  42. Relating to Inquisitions on Real Estate.

    Act 327 of 1855 · P.L. 313 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  43. Relative to State Roads and Bridges in the countieMof York, Cumberland, Fayette abd Westmoreland.

    Act 328 of 1855 · P.L. 313 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  44. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Aot relntivc to certain Courts in the city and county of Philadelphia.

    Act 329 of 1855 · P.L. 314 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  45. Relating to fines, forfeitures anrl penalties in Ihe city of Philadelphia and the county of Ailugbeny.

    Act 330 of 1855 · P.L. 315 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  46. To iacorporate the Fitzvvatertown and Mooreland Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 333 of 1855 · P.L. 317 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  47. Extending the provisions of tho act of tbe twenty-seconcl April, one thousand eight hundreil and fifty, and its supplements, relating to Mutual Savings Fund aod Building Associations, to Lycoming and Clinton counties.

    Act 334 of 1855 · P.L. 318 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  48. Supplement to an act to incorporate the President and Managers of the Belmont Avenue and Plank Ro id Cinipiiny, approved the eighth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.

    Act 335 of 1855 · P.L. 319 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  49. Supplement to the act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Carbon Run Improvement Company.

    Act 337 of 1855 · P.L. 320 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  50. the power? of the Directors of the Poor and House of Employment of the county of Lancaster.

    Act 338 of 1855 · P.L. 321 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  51. Supplement to an act to anthorize the laying out of a State Road from the Allegheny and Perrysville Plank Road to the village of Rochester, in Beaver county, passed eighteenth Mareh, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.

    Act 340 of 1855 · P.L. 323 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  52. Relative to the real estate of the Mount Zion Church, and the Board of School Directors in Monroe township, Cumberland county.

    Act 341 of 1855 · P.L. 323 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  53. Suppiementary to an act to incorporate the Saegertown Academy.

    Act 34 of 1855 · P.L. 324 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  54. Supplement to an act incorporating the Wellsboro' Cemetery Company, approved the seventh day of April, one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.

    Act 34 of 1855 · P.L. 325 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  55. Supplement to an act, entiHed -'An Aet to incorporate the Pennsylvania Steam Towing and Transportation Company." passed the first day of July, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 344 of 1855 · P.L. 325 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  56. Relating to the Finances of Berks county.

    Act 345 of 1855 · P.L. 326 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  57. To incorporate the Wistar Medical College.

    Act 346 of 1855 · P.L. 327 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  58. Relating to Corporations and to Estates held for Corporate, Religious and Charitable uses. Certain ofEocs declared inoomputibla. Officers canniit bo hurety for each other. Nor be interested in cortaiu «untracts. Nor receive ro- ] ward.'^. Penalty for violating

    Act 347 of 1855 · P.L. 328 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  59. To prevent Pishing with Seines or Nets in the ComeocheagHe creek and Falling. spring:, in Franklin county, and Jacob's creek, in the counties of Fayette and Westmorelajid.;

    Act 348 of 1855 · P.L. 333 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  60. For the relief of F. C. Ross.

    Act 349 of 1855 · P.L. 334 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  61. To more effectunlly prevent the Destruction of Insectivorous Birds, and for the '' better protection and preservation of Game in the counties of Berks and AUem < gheny.

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 335 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  62. To legitimate Elizabeth Shippen Elder.

    Act 350 of 1855 · P.L. 335 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  63. To incorporate the Howard Fire and Marine Insurance Company.

    Act 353 of 1855 · P.L. 337 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  64. To appoint Commissioners to lay oat a Road in Juniata and Perry counties. Sectiox 1.

    Act 354 of 1855 · P.L. 341 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  65. For the relief of Joseph Brady, a soldi >r of the Indian war.

    Act 355 of 1855 · P.L. 342 · 1855 · Scanned page

  66. Relatire to the payment of Surveyors in laying out Roads in this Commonwealth.

    Act 356 of 1855 · P.L. 342 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  67. To ron and define the line between parts of Huntingdon and Mifflin counties.

    Act 357 of 1855 · P.L. 343 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  68. To confirm the title of the German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran churches of TurVmtville. in the county of Northumberland, to a lot of ground in Lewis township, in said county.

    Act 358 of 1855 · P.L. 344 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  69. Supplement to the act incorporating Shafferstown Academy.

    Act 359 of 1855 · P.L. 345 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  70. Supplement to the act incorporating the Union Mutual Insurance Company of Philadelphia,

    Act 360 of 1855 · P.L. 345 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  71. Authorizing the President and Managers of the Shrewsbury and Hopewell Plank Koad Coinpuuy to borrow money.

    Act 361 of 1855 · P.L. 346 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  72. Relative to certain Election Districts.

    Act 362 of 1855 · P.L. 346 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  73. Supplementary to the charter of the borough of York, York county.

    Act 353 of 1855 · P.L. 348 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  74. Supplement to an act to authorize the Philadelphin, Wilmington and BaltimoTe Kailroad Company to declare and pay dividends cif stool; in certain cases, iipproved the twenty-ninth day uf March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fiftyfive.

    Act 364 of 1855 · P.L. 349 · 1855 · Scanned page

  75. prevent Cattle, Horses and Sheep from running at large in tte county of Chester.

    Act 367 of 1855 · P.L. 351 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  76. Tlelating to the Bnuudiivies of the borough of Pittston, Luzerne county.

    Act 368 of 1855 · P.L. 352 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  77. For the Relief of Eleanor Jameson. S"ECTiON 1.

    Act 369 of 1855 · P.L. 353 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  78. For I'he relief of Catharine Rees, the widow of Philip Rees, a soldier in tha Revolutionary war.

    Act 370 of 1855 · P.L. 353 · April 19, 1855 · Scanned page

  79. To lay out a State road from Rochester, Bearer county, to the Perrysville and Zelienople plank road, in Butler county.

    Act 371 of 1855 · P.L. 354 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  80. Supplement to the act, entitled '• An Act to incorporate the Allegheny and Xew Brighton Plank Road Company," approved twenfy-fiftb of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 372 of 1855 · P.L. 355 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  81. Supplement to the act incorporating the Ephrata Monument Association, of the eounty of Lancaster.

    Act 373 of 1855 · P.L. 356 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  82. Authorizing the Supervisors of Derry township, Westmoreland county, to lay out and construct a certain Koad.

    Act 374 of 1855 · P.L. 357 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  83. To appoint Commissioners to run nnd mark the Boundary Line between the counties of M'Kean and Elk.

    Act 375 of 1855 · P.L. 357 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  84. To authorize and establish a Teachers' Institute in the county of Chester.

    Act 376 of 1855 · P.L. 359 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  85. Supplement to the act incorporating the Upper Lehigh Navigation Compa-ny, passed Maxcfc fourteen, one thousand cighi hundred and forty.

    Act 378 of 1855 · P.L. 360 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  86. Supplement to the act erecting the town of Birmingham, in the county of Allegheny, into a borough.

    Act 379 of 1855 · P.L. 361 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  87. To improve the Turnpike Road from Indiana to Kittanning. t'

    Act 380 of 1855 · P.L. 363 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  88. To'probibii Hawking and Peddling certain articles in the county of Venango without license.

    Act 381 of 1855 · P.L. 364 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  89. To establish the Boundary Line between the counties of Union and Mifflin

    Act 382 of 1855 · P.L. 364 · April 19, 1855 · Scanned page

  90. Extending the right of Trial by Jury to certain cases.

    Act 383 of 1855 · P.L. 365 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  91. To tbe act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Strasburg Railroad Company," apjjroved the eleventh day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.

    Act 385 of 1855 · P.L. 367 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  92. To the not to ercot part of Norwegian townsLip, in Schuylkill county, into a nevr township, and for other pur|ioses. approved the eighth day of March, one tboii-. • sand eight hundred and forly-sevou. Sectiox 1.

    Act 388 of 1855 · P.L. 370 · April 28, 1855 · Scanned page

  93. To provide for the election of an additional Supervisor in Granville township, Mifflin county.

    Act 389 of 1855 · P.L. 371 · April 30, 1855 · Scanned page

  94. Relative to Criminal Courts in Schuylkill county.

    Act 391 of 1855 · P.L. 374 · April 30, 1855 · Scanned page

  95. Authorizing the Select an^ Common Councils of tho city of Reading to purchase, for llie use of the said city, the works of the Keatling Uas Company.

    Act 392 of 1855 · P.L. 375 · April 30, 1855 · Scanned page

  96. To enable David M. Craig to adopt Phebe Minosinger as bis child.

    Act 393 of 1855 · P.L. 376 · April 30, 1855 · Scanned page

  97. Supplementary to the act, entitled "A supplement to an aet to provide for the erection ot a house for the employment and support of the poor in the county of - Huntingdon," approved February seventh, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.

    Act 394 of 1855 · P.L. 377 · April 30, 1855 · Scanned page

  98. Declaring the Erokenstraw creek, in Warren county, a Public Highway, from the the Second Fork to the New York State line.

    Act 395 of 1855 · P.L. 377 · April 30, 1855 · Scanned page

  99. To an aet to incorporate the White Deer Bridge Company.

    Act 396 of 1855 · P.L. 378 · April 30, 1855 · Scanned page

  100. the relief of Hannah Moshier and Mary Warreu, widows of old soldiers.

    Act 397 of 1855 · P.L. 379 · April 30, 1855 · Scanned page

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1682–1801: the Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania. 1802–1974: the Pamphlet Laws (Laws of the General Assembly). Both from the scans published by the Pennsylvania Legislative Reference Bureau, which link to each original page. 1975 onward: the General Assembly’s own record of legislation enacted, which adds approval dates and bill numbers. Years the Bureau hasn’t indexed act by act come from the annual Laws of the General Assembly as scanned by the Internet Archive and Google Books: we split each volume into acts by their approval lines, and each one links to its scanned page. Before 1975 each year’s appropriation acts were scanned as one bundle, so they aren’t listed one by one. Proposed constitutional amendments, vetoed bills and reorganization plans are left out. Subject lines are the Bureau’s and the General Assembly’s, not the laws’ full titles.