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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 authorizing the borough of Bolivar, in A¥estmoreland county, to dig « well, et cetera, passed April iifteen, one thousand eight hundred and fifty.

    Act 521 of 1855 · P.L. 488 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  2. To ineorporate the Mount Airy and Lime Kiln Turnpike and Plank Road Company.

    Act 522 of 1855 · P.L. 489 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  3. Supplement to an act to incorpsrate the Carbon Run Improvement Company.

    Act 523 of 1855 · P.L. 490 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  4. Authorizing the Supervisors of Armstrong township, in the county of Lycoming, to collect road taxes in money.

    Act 524 of 1855 · P.L. 491 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  5. Supplement to the act passed the twenty-ninth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and three, entitled '• aii Act to establish a Board of Wardens f»r the port of Philadelphia, and for other purposes.''

    Act 525 of 1855 · P.L. 491 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  6. To repeal the act incorporating the boreugh of Pleasant Mount, in Wayne county.

    Act 526 of 1855 · P.L. 492 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  7. To build a Lock-up or House of Confinement for yiolators of law, in the borough of Ligonier, Westmoreland county, and for other purposes.

    Act 527 of 1855 · P.L. 493 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  8. to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the £cIectio Medical College of

    Act 528 of 1855 · P.L. 493 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  9. Relative to a certain burial ground in Bucks county.

    Act 529 of 1855 · P.L. 494 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  10. To provide for the ordinary expenses of Govornmcnt, the Repairs of the Public Canals and Railroads, and other general and specf?il Appropriations.

    Act 530 of 1855 · P.L. 495 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  11. Supplement to an act for the regulation and continuance of a System of Education by Common Schools, approved tho eighth day of May, Anuo I>umini, one thousand eight hundred and filty-four.

    Act 532 of 1855 · P.L. 509 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  12. Supplement to the act incorporating the Western Pennsylvania Hospital.

    Act 533 of 1855 · P.L. 512 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  13. To punisli and prevent Frauds in the use of False Stamps, Labels and Trade

    Act 534 of 1855 · P.L. 514 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  14. Supplementary to.in act. entitled " An Act to establish.an Asylum for the Ins.ane of this CommoirTealth,' approved the fourth of March, Aniio Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty

    Act 535 of 1855 · P.L. 515 · 1855 · Scanned page

  15. Siipplementavy to an act incorporating the Pittsburg and Erie Railroad Company.

    Act 536 of 1855 · P.L. 515 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  16. Relative to the Shermansville and Andover Plank Road Company.

    Act 537 of 1855 · P.L. 516 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  17. To empower the Trustee^ of Beaver Academy to occupy certain lots in the town of Beaver.

    Act 538 of 1855 · P.L. 517 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  18. Supplement to the act, entitled '■An Act to authorize the Governor to incorporate the Erie Oanal Company.

    Act 539 of 1855 · P.L. 518 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  19. Rekitivc to iuvcstments by Building Associations.

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 519 · 1855 · Scanned page

  20. To regulate the price of supporting the Prisoners in the county jail in Allegheny.

    Act 542 of 1855 · P.L. 520 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  21. Supplement to an act to authorize the Consolidation of the York and Maryland Line Railroad Company, the York and Cumberland Railroad Company, and the Susquehanna Railr«ad Company with each other, and with the Baltimore and Susquehanna' Railroad Company of the ?tate of Maryland, into «ne company, to be called the Northern Central Railrond Company, approved the third day of May, oue thousand

    Act 543 of 1855 · P.L. 520 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  22. To provide for the sale of the Main Line of the Public Works.

    Act 544 of 1855 · P.L. 521 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  23. To i-eguLate the holding of Courts in the countj of Juniata.

    Act 545 of 1855 · P.L. 527 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  24. Supplement to an act to provide for the appointment of a Reporter of the Supremo Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    Act 547 of 1855 · P.L. 528 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  25. To as act to regulate the taking np of Lumber, passed March twentieth, one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

    Act 548 of 1855 · P.L. 529 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  26. Relating to Electrical Telegraphs and messages sent thereby.

    Act 549 of 1855 · P.L. 531 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  27. Relating to Judgments and Executions in Foreign Attachments.

    Act 550 of 1855 · P.L. 532 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  28. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Dauphin and Susquehanna Coal Company, approved the fitth day of April, one thousand eight huudred and twenty six.

    Act 551 of 1855 · P.L. 533 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  29. Eelative to the Enon Valley Coal Company.

    Act 552 of 1855 · P.L. 534 · February 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  30. To incorporate tho Point Breeze Park Association.

    Act 553 of 1855 · P.L. 535 · February 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  31. To extend tlie time for re-laying the triick of tlie Ctiambersbur;^, Greencastle asd Ilagerstown railroad.

    Act 554 of 1855 · P.L. 536 · February 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  32. For the erection of a new county out of part of Union, to be called Snyder, and relative to the Seat of Justice of Union county. Sectio:n 1.

    Act 555 of 1855 · P.L. 537 · March 2, 1855 · Scanned page

  33. Supplement to an act. entitled '-An Act to incorporate the Eiwt Brandywine Railroad Company," approved the thirly-first day of March, one thousand ci^ht hundred and fifty four.

    Act 556 of 1855 · P.L. 543 · March 2, 1855 · Scanned page

  34. Authorizing tho incorporation of tlie Allentown Bank.

    Act 557 of 1855 · P.L. 544 · March 10, 1855 · Scanned page

  35. Supplementary to an act. entitled "An Act to incorporate the Jeddo and Carbon County Railroad Company," approved the twenty-third day of March, one thousand ei^ht hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 558 of 1855 · P.L. 545 · March 16, 1855 · Scanned page

  36. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Green Ridge Improvement Company.

    Act 559 of 1855 · P.L. 546 · March 16, 1855 · Scanned page

  37. To incorporate the Bedford Mineral Springs Association.

    Act 560 of 1855 · P.L. 546 · March 17, 1855 · Scanned page

  38. To incorporate the West Philadelphia White Lead Manufacturing Companj.

    Act 561 of 1855 · P.L. 550 · March 22, 1855 · Scanned page

  39. To increase the capital stock of the PbJladdpliia Steam Propeller Company.

    Act 562 of 1855 · P.L. 552 · March 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  40. To incorporate the Union Hall Association of Middletown, Dauphin eountj, Pennsylvania.

    Act 563 of 1855 · P.L. 552 · March 19, 1855 · Scanned page

  41. To incorporate the Jefferson Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia.

    Act 564 of 1855 · P.L. 554 · March 30, 1855 · Scanned page

  42. To incorporate the Bank of New Castle.

    Act 565 of 1855 · P.L. 558 · March 30, 1855 · Scanned page

  43. Authorizing the incorporation of the Maucb Chunk Bank,

    Act 566 of 1855 · P.L. 558 · April 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  44. To incorporate the Delivwarc and Sehuylkill Basin Company in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 569 of 1855 · P.L. 563 · April 9, 1855 · Scanned page

  45. To incorporate the Big Black Creek Improvement Company.

    Act 570 of 1855 · P.L. 572 · April 12, 1855 · Scanned page

  46. To incorporate the Chattel Loan Company of Philadelphia.

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 573 · April 18, 1855 · Scanned page

  47. To incorporate the Lock Haven Bank., Sectiox 1.

    Act 571 of 1855 · P.L. 573 · April 13, 1855 · Scanned page

  48. To incorporate the Trustee? of the Presbyterian House.

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 575 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  49. To incorporato the Monongaliela ^Yater Company.

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 577 · April 21, 1855 · Scanned page

  50. To the aet iHOorporating the Cornwall and Plioenixville Railroad Company.

    Act 575 of 1855 · P.L. 584 · April 23, 1855 · Scanned page

  51. To incorporate the Broad Top Improvement Company.

    Act 576 of 1855 · P.L. 585 · 1855 · Scanned page

  52. To incorporate the Ephrata Mountain Springs Association.

    Act 577 of 1855 · P.L. 586 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page

  53. To incorporate the National Mutual Iiisurance Company.

    Act 578 of 1855 · P.L. 589 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  54. To incorporate the Pittsburg Dollar Savings Institution.

    Act 579 of 1855 · P.L. 590 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  55. To incorporate the Philadelphia Guano Company.

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 594 · April 30, 1855 · Scanned page

  56. Supplement to an act incorporating the Merchants' Insurance Company.

    Act 580 of 1855 · P.L. 594 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  57. To incorporate the Manufacturers" Insurance Company of the State of Pennsyl vania.

    Act 583 of 1855 · P.L. 597 · April 30, 1855 · Scanned page

  58. To incorporate the Nortli Branch and Lackawanna Railroad Oompany.

    Act 584 of 1855 · P.L. 601 · May 2, 1855 · Scanned page

  59. To incorporate the Pennsylvania and Lehigh Zinc Company.

    Act 585 of 1855 · P.L. 602 · May 2, 1855 · Scanned page

  60. To renew and extend the charter of the Southwark Eank, in the co^Inty of Philadelphia. Sectiox 1.

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 606 · May 3, 1855 · Scanned page

  61. Fo an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Central Americnn Mininf; Com- U '.')!' 3any,"' aj ifty-four. pany,"' approved the Iweuty-first day of April, oue thousand eight huiidiod and

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 607 · May 3, 1855 · Scanned page

  62. Tolif 1.) the act incorporating the AVellersburg and AVest Newton Plank Koad Company, approved April fifteenth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty.

    Act 590 of 1855 · P.L. 608 · May 4, 1855 · Scanned page

  63. To tlie act incorporating the Monongatela Navigation Companj.

    Act 591 of 1855 · P.L. 609 · May 4, 1855 · Scanned page

  64. Supplement to an act to jncorporate the Moniit Ccarbon and Port Carbon Railroad Compaaj. and relative to the Philadelphia and Heading Railroad Company.

    Act 592 of 1855 · P.L. 610 · May 5, 1855 · Scanned page

  65. To incorporate the Franklin Hall Association of the borough of Chambersburg, Franklin county.

    Act 593 of 1855 · P.L. 611 · May 5, 1855 · Scanned page

  66. To incorporate the Hopewell Coal and Iron Company.

    Act 594 of 1855 · P.L. 614 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  67. Incorporating the Reading Insurance Company.

    Act 595 of 1855 · P.L. 615 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  68. To incorporate the Miners Railroad Company.

    Act 596 of 1855 · P.L. 618 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  69. To inoorporate the Wabank House on the banks of the Conestoga, in Lancaster County.

    Act 597 of 1855 · P.L. 619 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  70. To incorporate the Fulton Hall Association is the city of Lancaster.

    Act 598 of 1855 · P.L. 622 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  71. To incorporate the Dime Savings of Easton.

    Act 599 of 1855 · P.L. 625 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  72. To incorpcrato the Johnstown Iron Company.

    Act 600 of 1855 · P.L. 628 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  73. To incorporate the Combula Improvement Company,

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 630 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page

  74. To aD act to incorporate the Windsor Haven Bridge Company, approved April seventh, Anuo JJouiini one ihousand eight hundred and forty-nine.

    Act 603 of 1855 · P.L. 635 · April 18, 1855 · Scanned page

  75. Lo incorporate the Farmers' and Mechanics' Fire. Marine and Life Insurance Company of Pennsylvania.

    Act 604 of 1855 · P.L. 635 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  76. ACT Aathoriaiiig the GovciT.or to incorporate the Minergvillo Water Company.

    Act 605 of 1855 · P.L. 639 · April 30, 1855 · Scanned page

  77. To ttie act incorporaling the Washington Mutual Insurance Company of Philadelphia; relative to the Junction Canal Company; to the sale of real estate by 0. P. Ballard, and to the sale of lands by the New York and Erie Railroad Company.

    Act 606 of 1855 · P.L. 646 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  78. To incorporate the Seamen's Saving Fund Society of Philadelphia,

    Act 607 of 1855 · P.L. 647 · April 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  79. Relative to the State Cabinet of Geologioal

    Act 5 of 1855 · P.L. 650 · February 9, 1855 · Scanned page

  80. To incorporate the Lock Haven Gas and Water Company.

    Act 608 of 1855 · P.L. 657 · March 3, 1855 · Scanned page

  81. To perpetuate the rights, immunities and obligations of the Springhouse, Northamptontown and Bcthleliem Turnpike Gompany, and for the purpose of changing its name, collection of tolls, et cetera

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 664 · March 3, 1855 · Scanned page

  82. 611. A r\ ACT To incorporate the Auburn and Port Clinton Railroad Company.

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 665 · March 13, 1855 · Scanned page

  83. To legitimate Alvin Gernant M'Namee and to change his name.

    Act 612 of 1855 · P.L. 666 · March 16, 1855 · Scanned page

  84. To change the corporate name of the V'resident, Managers and Company of the York Furnace Bridge

    Act 613 of 1855 · P.L. 666 · March 23, 1855 · Scanned page

  85. To incorporate the Dime

    Act 614 of 1855 · P.L. 667 · March 27, 1855 · Scanned page

  86. the act, entitled '• An Act to incorporate the Erie Pire and Marine Insumnoe Company of Erie county

    Act 615 of 1855 · P.L. 671 · March 28, 1855 · Scanned page

  87. To incorporate the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Paradise.

    Act 616 of 1855 · P.L. 674 · March 19, 1855 · Scanned page

  88. To incorporate the Thomas Iron Company.

    Act 617 of 1855 · P.L. 677 · April 4, 1855 · Scanned page

  89. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to inoorporate the Norristown and Freemansburg Kailroad Company," approved the twenty-third day of April, Annu Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

    Act 618 of 1855 · P.L. 680 · April 6, 1855 · Scanned page

  90. To change the name of the borough of Cookstown, in Fa3'ette county, and to au'tborizo said borough to erect a Lock up House.

    Act 619 of 1855 · P.L. 681 · April 11, 1855 · Scanned page

  91. To autborize the Governor to incorporate a company to ereet a* bridge across tba Juniata river, at the mouth of Hare's valley, in Huntingdon county.

    Act 620 of 1855 · P.L. 682 · April 13, 1855 · Scanned page

  92. To extend the Charter of the Bank of Gettysburg.

    Act 621 of 1855 · P.L. 686 · April 18, 1855 · Scanned page

  93. To extend the Charter of the Bank of Northumberland, a* Northumberland.

    Act 622 of 1855 · P.L. 686 · April 18, 1855 · Scanned page

  94. To incorporate tho MahoDiug and Susquehanna Railroad Campany. SectiOiX 1.

    Act 623 of 1855 · P.L. 687 · April 19, 1855 · Scanned page

  95. Supplement to an act incorporating the Catasanqua and Fogelsville Plank Road Compacj.

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 688 · April 20, 1855 · Scanned page

  96. To incorporate the Oeiltral American Mining Company.

    Act of 1855 · P.L. 688 · April 29, 1855 · Scanned page

  97. To incorporate tlie Meclianicsburg Gas and Water Company.

    Act 629 of 1855 · P.L. 694 · May 5, 1855 · Scanned page

  98. To incorporate the South Mountain Railroad Company.

    Act 630 of 1855 · P.L. 698 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  99. To incorporate the Little Clearficl J Greek Navisntion

    Act 632 of 1855 · P.L. 700 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

  100. To incorporate the Watsontown Bridge Company.

    Act 633 of 1855 · P.L. 701 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page

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Constitution of 17901790–1837

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Province of Pennsylvania1682–1775

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.