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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. Providing compensation to John Montgomery, Janies W". Mahan, J. R. Smith and others, for services rendered and expenses incurred m the arrest of certain horse thieves.

    Act 325 of 1856 · P.L. 307 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  2. Appointing Commissioners to Lay out and open a St.ite Road in the counties of Ellc and Jefierson.

    Act 326 of 1856 · P.L. 307 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  3. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Sk'ippack and Salfordville Turnpike Road Company, in Montgomery county, approved the twenty-third day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty

    Act 327 of 1856 · P.L. 308 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  4. Relating to the Philipsburg Coal and Lumber Company,

    Act 328 of 1856 · P.L. 309 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  5. To authorize the School Directors of the boroBgh of Venango to borrow money, and for other purposes.

    Act 329 of 1856 · P.L. 311 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  6. Authorizing the payment of certain Coupons represented to have beecs

    Act 330 of 1856 · P.L. 312 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  7. To authorize the School Directors of the borough of West Pittsburg, Aliegheny county, to select sites for School Houses.

    Act 331 of 1856 · P.L. 312 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  8. For the relief of the estate of John Hoge, deceased.

    Act 332 of 1856 · P.L. 314 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  9. Relative to the Sheriffs of this Commonwealth.

    Act 333 of 1856 · P.L. 314 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  10. Relating to the rights of piopeity of Husband and Wife.

    Act 334 of 1856 · P.L. 315 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  11. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Six Penny Saving Fund of Pliiladelpliia," passed the fifth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-iour.

    Act of 1856 · P.L. 316 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  12. To the charter of the Union Iron and Coal Company.

    Act of 1856 · P.L. 316 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  13. To the charter of the Union Iron and Goal Oompasj.

    Act 336 of 1856 · P.L. 316 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  14. For the Relief of Mary Mann.

    Act 337 of 1856 · P.L. 317 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  15. For the relief of Sarah Clingau, widow of a soldier of the Revolutiouair wars and Indian wars.

    Act 338 of 1856 · P.L. 318 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  16. For the relief of John Smith, a soldier in the Indian wars.

    Act 339 of 1856 · P.L. 318 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  17. To provide fur the batterregulationsof Buildings in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 34 of 1856 · P.L. 319 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  18. To authorize the managers of the Allegheny Cemetery to sell certain real estate.^i^CTioN 1.

    Act 310 of 1856 · P.L. 319 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  19. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Hopewell Coal and Iron Company.

    Act 342 of 1856 · P.L. 320 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  20. Relating to the Foster Home.

    Act 343 of 1856 · P.L. 321 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  21. Relative to Meadow Lane.

    Act 344 of 1856 · P.L. 321 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  22. To aa act incorporating the Western Saving Fund Society of Philadelphiaapproved the eighth day of February, eighteen hundred and forty-seven.

    Act 345 of 1856 · P.L. 322 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  23. Supplement to an act concerning certain sheriffs' and coroners' sales, and for otlier purposes, approved April sixteenth. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty-five.

    Act 347 of 1856 · P.L. 324 · April 12, 1856 · Scanned page

  24. To conlirm the sale of certain real estate in Delaware county.

    Act 348 of 1856 · P.L. 325 · April 12, 1856 · Scanned page

  25. For the relief of Elizabeth Sprott, widow of a soldier of the Revolution and Indian wars.

    Act 349 of 1856 · P.L. 326 · April 12, 1856 · Scanned page

  26. Extending the time for purchasing a farm for the employment of the Poor in Indiana county.

    Act 350 of 1856 · P.L. 326 · April 12, 1856 · Scanned page

  27. Supplement to an act to incoiporate the West Chester Gas Company,

    Act 351 of 1856 · P.L. 327 · April 12, 1856 · Scanned page

  28. For the relief of James Flanagan, of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 352 of 1856 · P.L. 327 · April 12, 1856 · Scanned page

  29. To lay out a State Road in Allegheny and Butler counties.

    Act 353 of 1856 · P.L. 328 · April 12, 1856 · Scanned page

  30. lay out a State Road from the borough of Tarentum, in Allegheny county, by the town of Bakersto\vn, to the State Koad leading from Perrysville to the Glade Mills, on lands of George Gochers, in Butler county.

    Act 354 of 1856 · P.L. 329 · April 12, 1856 · Scanned page

  31. To incorporate the North American House Compan}of Lancaster.

    Act 356 of 1856 · P.L. 332 · 1856 · Scanned page

  32. Authorizing the State Treasurer to pay the claim of William Latherow.

    Act 357 of 1856 · P.L. 333 · April 14, 1856 · Scanned page

  33. To tlie act incorporating the Philadelphia and Heading Railroad Company.

    Act 360 of 1856 · P.L. 335 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  34. Supplement to the act incorporating the Marshall Savings Association of Philadelphia.

    Act 361 of 1856 · P.L. 336 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  35. Supplement to an act to authorize the Governor to incorporate the Wissahickou Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 362 of 1856 · P.L. 336 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  36. Relative to the charges of the Courts.

    Act 363 of 1856 · P.L. 337 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  37. To incorporate the Lackawanna and Lanesboro' Railroad Company. ^''Ci '■ (/' Commissioners.

    Act 364 of 1856 · P.L. 337 · February 22, 1856 · Scanned page

  38. Directing the State Treasurer to pay the claims of Thomas Bingham and Company, John Cresswell and Son, and John Kennedy.

    Act 365 of 1856 · P.L. 339 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  39. To incorporate the Attleborough Railroad Company.

    Act 366 of 1856 · P.L. 339 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  40. To provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support ol the Poor for the county of

    Act 367 of 1856 · P.L. 340 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  41. To lay out a State Road from Pine Grove, in Mercer county, via Centreville, to the nearest station on the North-western Railroad, in Butler, county.

    Act 368 of 1856 · P.L. 345 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  42. Changing the name of Plunkets Creek township, in the county of Sullivan, to Hills Grove.

    Act 369 of 1856 · P.L. 346 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  43. To appoint Commissioners to run and mark the county lines between Wayne and Pike. Section 1.

    Act 370 of 1856 · P.L. 347 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  44. In relation to the recording of a certain deed from Joseph Brady to William Brady.

    Act 371 of 1856 · P.L. 348 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  45. To authorize the Canal Commissioners to examine the claim of John Braden, relative to damages sustained by the erection of the Beaver Division of the Pennsylvania Canal.

    Act 372 of 1856 · P.L. 348 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  46. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Loretto Turnpike Road Company, in Cambria county, approved the eighth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.

    Act 373 of 1856 · P.L. 349 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  47. To vacate jiart of a State Road leading from Schellsburg, in Bedford county to Fort Littleton, in Fulton county.

    Act 374 of 1856 · P.L. 350 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  48. To establish a Ferry over the Ohio river at or near Middletown, in Allegheny county.

    Act 375 of 1856 · P.L. 350 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  49. For the relief of Elizabeth Keller, a widow of a soldier of the Revolutionary war.

    Act 376 of 1856 · P.L. 351 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  50. To provide for the erection of a House for the employment and support of the Poor for the county of Lawrence.

    Act 377 of 1856 · P.L. 352 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  51. To incorporate a company by the name, style and title of the Mechanicsburg, Dillsburg and Petersburg Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 378 of 1856 · P.L. 357 · 1856 · Scanned page

  52. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Hollidaysburg and Altoona Plank Road Company; relative to tlie boundary line between the counties of Lycoming and Tioga; to the borough of Covington, and snpervisois of Tioga county, and for other purposes, approved the fifth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

    Act 379 of 1856 · P.L. 358 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  53. To authorize the erection of a public Town Hall in North Shenango township, Crawford county.

    Act 380 of 1856 · P.L. 358 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  54. To authorize the collection of Road Taxes in Loyalhanna township, in Westmoreland county, in money.

    Act 381 of 1856 · P.L. 360 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  55. Supplement to the act authoriiiiug the construction of a certain Water Course in Clinton county, approved the eighteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 382 of 1856 · P.L. 360 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  56. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Farmers' and Mechanics' Fire, Marine and Life Insurance Company of Philadelphia, approved April twenty-seventh, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.

    Act 383 of 1856 · P.L. 361 · April 15, 1856 · Scanned page

  57. To incorporate the Pittsburg and Youghiogheny Coal Company.

    Act 384 of 1856 · P.L. 362 · April 11, 1856 · Scanned page

  58. Relative to the defalcation of Jacob M. Strickler, late Collector of Tolls at Columbia.

    Act 385 of 1856 · P.L. 364 · April 16, 1856 · Scanned page

  59. Supplement to the act incorporating the Girard Railroad.

    Act 386 of 1856 · P.L. 364 · April 16, 1856 · Scanned page

  60. To restore an act to encourage the further development of the mineral resources of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, approved the eleventh day of April, one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, so far as relates to Allegheny county.

    Act 387 of 1856 · P.L. 365 · April 16, 1856 · Scanned page

  61. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Ohio and Pennsylvania Raih-oad Company, passed April eleventh, eighteen hundred and forty-eight.

    Act of 1856 · P.L. 369 · April 16, 1856 · Scanned page

  62. To authorize the consolidation of railroad companies in this State with railroad companies of States adjoining, in certain cases, and to authorize railroad companies in this State to extend their roads into adjoinlBg States.

    Act of 1856 · P.L. 370 · April 16, 1856 · Scanned page

  63. For the payment of certain costs incurred in the collection of taxes oa licenses in the county af Philadelphia.

    Act 393 of 1856 · P.L. 374 · April 16, 1856 · Scanned page

  64. To incorporate the Lebanon Gas Company.

    Act 394 of 1856 · P.L. 375 · March 29, 1856 · Scanned page

  65. To incorporate the Governor's Creek Meadov,- Company, in Falls township, Bucks county.

    Act 395 of 1856 · P.L. 378 · March 12, 1856 · Scanned page

  66. Relative to the Mansfield Iron Works.

    Act 396 of 1856 · P.L. 379 · April 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  67. To establish a Ferry over the North Branch of the Susquehanna river at or near Centreville, in Columbia county.

    Act 397 of 1856 · P.L. 380 · April 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  68. To'incorporate the Johnstown and Scalplevel Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 398 of 1856 · P.L. 381 · April 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  69. For the election of Township Treasurer, and other purposes, in the tov?nship of Cherry Hill, in the county of Indiana.

    Act 399 of 1856 · P.L. 382 · April 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  70. Relative to lots in or near the city of Erie.

    Act of 1856 · P.L. 383 · April 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  71. Ta the act incorporating the Wilkesbarre and Providence Plank Road Company.

    Act 400 of 1856 · P.L. 383 · April 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  72. Supplementary to an act to incorporate the Little Saw Mill Run Raih'oad C(im})any, passed the tifteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred -., iri > • and fifty. i >i Sectiox 1.

    Act of 1856 · P.L. 385 · April 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  73. Supplement to an act relative to suits in dower and partition, passed twentieth Febrtiary, one thousand eight hundred and iilty-four.

    Act 403 of 1856 · P.L. 386 · 1856 · Scanned page

  74. Relating to the service of process in certain eases.

    Act of 1856 · P.L. 388 · March 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  75. To incorporate the A.bington Turnpike or Plank Road Company. Sectiox 1.

    Act 406 of 1856 · P.L. 389 · April 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  76. To incorporate the Factoryville and Abington Turnpike and Plank Road Company.

    Act 407 of 1856 · P.L. 390 · April 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  77. To autiiorize John N. Neumann to raise money on the security of certain church property to pay oft' the debts of the same.

    Act 408 of 1856 · P.L. 391 · April 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  78. Declaring Aramingo Canal, iu the county of Pliiladelphia, to be a public highway.

    Act 409 of 1856 · P.L. 393 · April 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  79. In relation to paving in the borough of Manchester, in the county of Allegheny.

    Act 410 of 1856 · P.L. 393 · April 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  80. provide for the election of an additional Law.Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the sixth judicial district.

    Act 411 of 1856 · P.L. 395 · April 17, 1856 · Scanned page

  81. To incoi-porate the Fame Mutual Insurance Company.

    Act of 1856 · P.L. 397 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  82. For the relief of Eleanor Sprolt, widow of Samuel Sprott, a soldier of the Revolution and Indian war.

    Act of 1856 · P.L. 399 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  83. Or the relief of £Ieuior Sprott, widow of Smmnel Sprott, a iA>]diar of the Revolution and Indian war.

    Act 414 of 1856 · P.L. 399 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  84. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Somerset and Johnstown Plank Road Company, approved March twenty-fourth, one thousand eight hundred and Ufty-one.

    Act 415 of 1856 · P.L. 399 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  85. To provide for the protection of life on steam ferry boats and other passenger vessels arriving at and departing from tiie port of Philadelphia.

    Act 416 of 1856 · P.L. 400 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  86. Supplement to an act to authorize the consolidation of the Treverton and Susquehanna Railroad Company, and the Mahanoyand Shamokin Improvement Company, approved the twenty-fourth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and flfty-six.

    Act 417 of 1856 · P.L. 402 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  87. Supplement to an act to enable the Governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road by the best and nearest route from the borough of York to the Maryland line, at the place the present York road passes the same, or as near thereto as the commissioners shall find expedient.

    Act of 1856 · P.L. 403 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  88. Supplement to an act regulating banks, approved April sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty.

    Act of 1856 · P.L. 403 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  89. Repealing an act antiaorizing the Superrisors of Armstrong to^'naiiip, iH the county of Lycoming, to collect road taxes in money.

    Act 420 of 1856 · P.L. 404 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  90. To an actio incorporate the Allegheny Mountain Health Institute, approved the twenty-ninth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 422 of 1856 · P.L. 405 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  91. 1 Eelative to the courts of Carbon and Le-bigh counties.

    Act 423 of 1856 · P.L. 406 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  92. Authorizing a special tax in the city of Erie.

    Act 424 of 1856 · P.L. 406 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  93. For the relief of the widow of George W. Zeigler, deceased.

    Act 425 of 1856 · P.L. 407 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  94. To authorize the Commissioners of the county of Bradford and the Town Council of the borough of Towanda to erect a public building.

    Act 426 of 1856 · P.L. 407 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  95. Supplement to an act authorizing the laying out of a certain state road, approved the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.

    Act 427 of 1856 · P.L. 408 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  96. Authorizing the Governor to commission an Auctioneer for the borough of Hanover, York county.

    Act 428 of 1856 · P.L. 409 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  97. To establish a school among the Cornplanter Indians, in "Warren county.

    Act 429 of 1856 · P.L. 410 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  98. Supplement to an act to provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor of Erie county.

    Act 430 of 1856 · P.L. 410 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  99. To authorize tne School Directors of the borouigh of Kittanning to levy a special tax and borrow money for the erection of a common school house.

    Act 431 of 1856 · P.L. 412 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

  100. Supplement to an act relative to huckstering in the counties of Berks and Lebanon.

    Act 432 of 1856 · P.L. 413 · April 18, 1856 · Scanned page

By decade

Constitution of 19681968–today

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Constitution of 18381838–1873

Constitution of 17901790–1837

Constitution of 17761776–1789

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.