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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, entitled " An act to reduce the expenses of collecting State and County taxes in Venango county.

    Act 65 of 1857 · P.L. 53 · February 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  2. Supplement to the act incorporating the congregation of the United Brethren of the horough of Bethlehem, and its vicinity, approved April third, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.

    Act 66 of 1857 · P.L. 53 · February 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  3. For tbe relief of Aone Cox, a widow of a ReTolntienary loldier.

    Act 68 of 1857 · P.L. 55 · February 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  4. To incorporate the Johnsville and Moorland Turnpike Road Companv.

    Act 69 of 1857 · P.L. 55 · February 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  5. To authorize the Select and Common Councils of the city of Pittsburg to assess Water Rents.

    Act 70 of 1857 · P.L. 56 · February 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  6. Supplement to an act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Miller's Run and Cross Creek Valley Plank Road Company.

    Act 71 of 1857 · P.L. 57 · February 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  7. Relative to the Allentown Iron Company.

    Act 72 of 1857 · P.L. 58 · February 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  8. Supytlementary to an act to incorporate the Mauch Chunk Gas Company, approved the third day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and iifty-four.

    Act 73 of 1857 · P.L. 58 · February 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  9. To authorize the Commissioners of Lancaster county to re-assess the taxes of Little Britain township.

    Act 75 of 1857 · P.L. 60 · February 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  10. Relative to the North Penusylvania Railroad Company.

    Act 76 of 1857 · P.L. 61 · February 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  11. Concerning a certain School District in "Washington, Beaver and Allegheny counties.

    Act 77 of 1857 · P.L. 62 · February 23, 1857 · Scanned page

  12. ACT Authorizing the Ilartsville and Centreville Turnpike Koad Company to borrow money.

    Act 78 of 1857 · P.L. 63 · February 23, 1857 · Scanned page

  13. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Chartiers Valley Railroad Gomi)a;iy, ajiprovcd February seventh, on-; thousand eight hundred and MCty-three. Sectiom

    Act 79 of 1857 · P.L. 63 · February 23, 1857 · Scanned page

  14. Providing for the election of a State Treasurer.

    Act 80 of 1857 · P.L. 64 · March 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  15. To provide for the payment of the expenses of the Board of Revenue Commissioners.

    Act 83 of 1857 · P.L. 71 · March 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  16. To authorize the supervisors of the township of Green, in the county o4 Indiana, to collect a certain portion of road tax in money.

    Act 84 of 1857 · P.L. 72 · March 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  17. Supplement to an act incorporating the Pennsylvania Coal Company, appproved March fifteenth, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.

    Act 85 of 1857 · P.L. 72 · March 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  18. To prohibit the fishing in the Bald Eagle creek, in Allison and Bald Eaglo townships, Clinton county, and Boggs township, in Centre county, with seines and stengle nets.

    Act 87 of 1857 · P.L. 73 · March 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  19. To clianft-e the time for liolding the Mayor's Court of the city of Carbondale, and the August and JMovembcr terms of the several courts of th<j county of Luzerne.

    Act 88 of 1857 · P.L. 74 · March 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  20. Relative to the president, managers and company of the Lancaster, Elizabethtown and Middletown Turnpike Road.

    Act 89 of 1857 · P.L. 75 · March 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  21. Providing for the return of a sum of money overpaid into the Treasury of this Conimonwealth, by George Ertel, of Philadelphia.

    Act 90 of 1857 · P.L. 76 · March 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  22. Supplement to an act, entitled •'• An Act relative to certain courts iu the city and county of Philadelphia.

    Act 91 of 1857 · P.L. 76 · March 11, 1857 · Scanned page

  23. To provide for the incorporation of Gas and ^ater Companies.

    Act 92 of 1857 · P.L. 77 · March 11, 1857 · Scanned page

  24. To iacorporatc the Upper and Lower St. Clair Turnpike Road Company.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 83 · March 11, 1857 · Scanned page

  25. Supplement to an act authorizing the governor to incorporate the Minersville Water Company, in the county ol Schuylkill.

    Act 95 of 1857 · P.L. 85 · March 11, 1857 · Scanned page

  26. Supplement to the act, entitled " An Act to authorize the governor to incorporate the West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad Company.

    Act 96 of 1857 · P.L. 85 · March 11, 1857 · Scanned page

  27. For the relief of William Trimble.

    Act 97 of 1857 · P.L. 87 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  28. Authorizing the State Treasurer to pay the claim of John Fell.

    Act 98 of 1857 · P.L. 87 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  29. Supplement to an act relative to the Coroners of Berks and Lancaster

    Act 99 of 1857 · P.L. 88 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  30. Repealing the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh sections of an act passed the twenty-second day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty, entitled " An Act to reduce the number of Supervisors in tlie township of Catawissa, Columbia county, and for other purposes.

    Act 100 of 1857 · P.L. 88 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  31. Authorizing John Buckwalter and John Huher, late committee of David Stoner, of Lancaster connty, to convey to him certain real estate situate in Penn township, in said county.

    Act 101 of 1857 · P.L. 89 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  32. Relative to certain real estate in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 102 of 1857 · P.L. 89 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  33. Relative to the license of carriages, wagons, carts, drays and other vehicles ^in the borough of South Pittsburg, Allegheny county.

    Act 103 of 1857 · P.L. 90 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  34. To incorporate the Winfield Coal and lion Company.

    Act 104 of 1857 · P.L. 91 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  35. to the BinninghaiD, East Birmingham and Sooth Pittabnrf Gas Compaay.

    Act 105 of 1857 · P.L. 92 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  36. Supplement to an act relating to counties and townships and county and township officers, approved April fifteenth, one thousand eight hundred and thirtyfour.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 93 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  37. Supplement to an act for the incorporation of the Lewistown Bridge Company, and for other purposes.

    Act 108 of 1857 · P.L. 95 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  38. To enable the Trustees under the will of Albanns C. Logan to make title to certain real estate.

    Act 109 of 1857 · P.L. 95 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  39. Supplement to an act to allow aud regulate appeals to the Supreme Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, from decrees in equity of the court of common pleas for the city and county of Philadelphia, approved the seventeenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty-five. Sectiox 1.

    Act 110 of 1857 · P.L. 97 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  40. Autborizing the president and manngers of the Perrysville and Zelienopia Turnpike or Flank Road Gomptiny to borrow money.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 98 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  41. Yor the relief of the sureties of Hiram Hultz, late prothonotar>' of Allegheny

    Act 112 of 1857 · P.L. 99 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  42. To incorporate the Northampton Iron Company.

    Act 113 of 1857 · P.L. 99 · March 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  43. Supplement to an act incorporating the Pittsburg, New Castle and Cleveland Railroad Company.

    Act 114 of 1857 · P.L. 102 · March 17, 1857 · Scanned page

  44. For the relief of William Palmer.

    Act 115 of 1857 · P.L. 103 · March 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  45. To anthorize the Commissioners of Krie comity, the School Directors of the East ward of the city of Erie, and the City Councils of Erie, to refund to Andrew Scott certain taxes.

    Act 116 of 1857 · P.L. 103 · March 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  46. To change the name of the Portsmouth election district, in the county of Dauphin, and to change the place of voting in said district.

    Act 117 of 1857 · P.L. 104 · March 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  47. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Reading and Lehigh Railroad Company.

    Act 119 of 1857 · P.L. 106 · March 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  48. For the payment of George R. Smith, the contestant of the seat of John Ramsey, a member elect from Philadelphia city.

    Act 120 of 1857 · P.L. 106 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  49. Authorizing the construction of Sluices to dams in Mill creek, in the count/ of Clarion. Sectiox 1.

    Act 122 of 1857 · P.L. 108 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  50. Autlioming the laying out of a State road from a public road leading from Hamburg to Rehrersbiirg, at or near iStraustown, Upper Tulixliocken township, Berks county, to a public road leading from Rehreihburg to Pottsville, at or near the farm of John Emerich, ia Wayne township, Schuylkill county.

    Act 123 of 1857 · P.L. 109 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  51. Supplement to an act to ioeorporate a companj to make a Plank Road flrom Hopewel] to Bloody Rao, in Bedford county.

    Act 125 of 1857 · P.L. 112 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  52. To increase the pay of Connty Commissioners and County Auditors in the counties of Crawford, Mercer and Bradford.

    Act 126 of 1857 · P.L. 113 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  53. To regulate the killing of game in Fulton county.

    Act 127 of 1857 · P.L. 113 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  54. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Soamen's Saving Fund Society of Pbiladelphia, approved the twenty-aoventh day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.

    Act 128 of 1857 · P.L. 114 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  55. Declaring tlie Genessee river, in the county of Potter, a public highway.

    Act 129 of 1857 · P.L. 115 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  56. To increass the pay of the County Commissioners, Jurors and Witnesses^ in certain counties of this commonwealth.

    Act 130 of 1857 · P.L. 116 · 1857 · Scanned page

  57. Supplement to an act to incorporate a Plank Road Company fiom TVillow Grove, Montgomery county, to Germantown, Philadelphia county, and relative to certain streets in the borough of Bridgeport, in said county, et cetera, approved the twelfth day of April, one thousand eight hundred uid fifty* three.

    Act 144 of 1857 · P.L. 116 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  58. To regulate the disbursement of the Contingent Fund ot the Legislature.

    Act 132 of 1857 · P.L. 117 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  59. Authorizing the Commissioners of Indiana count}' to erect a bridge over Clocked creek, in said county.

    Act 133 of 1857 · P.L. 118 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  60. Supplement to an act, entitled " An act to incorporate the town of Ashland, partly in Schuylkill and partly in Columbia county, into a borough.

    Act 135 of 1857 · P.L. 119 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  61. To enable Philip R. Freas to make title to certain real estate.

    Act 135 of 1857 · P.L. 119 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  62. Supplement to the act to iucoiporate the Bedford Mineral Springs Associatiou, approved the seventeenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and, fifty-five.

    Act 137 of 1857 · P.L. 120 · March 26, 1857 · Scanned page

  63. To incorporate the Tyrbne and Lock Haven Railroad Company.

    Act 139 of 1857 · P.L. 122 · February 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  64. To prevent Stock running at large in the county of Lancaster.

    Act 140 of 1857 · P.L. 124 · March 26, 1857 · Scanned page

  65. Relative to Harris Alley, in the borough of Harrisburg.

    Act 141 of 1857 · P.L. 124 · March 26, 1857 · Scanned page

  66. Authorizing Jacob Anrand, administrator of the estate of Ilemy Aiirand, deceased, to complete contract entered into with Henry Lefevre, witli authority to make and deliver deed tor a certain tract of land, and also to sell certain real estate held by the said Henry Aurand, in common with the said Jacob.

    Act 142 of 1857 · P.L. 125 · March 26, 1857 · Scanned page

  67. Supplement to an act to incorporate a i'lauk Road Company fioni "^V^illow Grove, Montgomery county, to Germantown, Pliiladelphia county, and relative to certain streets in the horoiigh of Bridgeport, in said county, etcetera, approved the twelfth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fiftythree.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 126 · March 26, 1857 · Scanned page

  68. Supplement to the act incorporating the Farmers' Mutual Fire rnsurance Company of Dover, Cont-wago, Newbeny and East and VVest Manchester townships, in the county of Vork, approved the fifteenth day of April, one thousand • eight hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 143 of 1857 · P.L. 126 · March 26, 1857 · Scanned page

  69. To incorporate the Protection Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Cambria county.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 129 · March 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  70. To increase the number of Supervisors in the township of Hanover, Beaver county.

    Act 149 of 1857 · P.L. 130 · March 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  71. Supplement to an act; entitled " An act relating to the Prison of the county of Chester," approved the first day of February, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.

    Act 153 of 1857 · P.L. 134 · March 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  72. Supplement to an act, entitled •' An act to authorize the Governor to incorporate the Pittston Water Company."'

    Act 154 of 1857 · P.L. 135 · March 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  73. Supplement to an act, entitled " An act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Columbia Water Companj'," approved the twenty-ninth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three.

    Act 155 of 1857 · P.L. 135 · March 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  74. Supplement to an act, entitled " An act prohibiting persons from throwing slabs in Red Bank creek, and its navigable tributaries, and to incorporate a company to re-build a toll bridge over the Allegheny river at Emlenton, in Venango county," approved the filth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.

    Act 156 of 1857 · P.L. 136 · March 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  75. To legitimgite Emily Mary Plumer.

    Act 157 of 1857 · P.L. 137 · March 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  76. Designating the boundaries of the borough of Elkland, in the county of Tioga, legalizing the election and official acts of certain corporation officers.

    Act 158 of 1857 · P.L. 138 · March 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  77. To repeal the Lenox Road Law in the township of Dimock, Susquehanna county.

    Act 159 of 1857 · P.L. 139 · March 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  78. For the relief of Mickley and Bisecker.

    Act 160 of 1857 · P.L. 140 · March 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  79. Supplement to the act, entitled "An act to incorporate the Plymouth Railroad Company," passed March eighteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.

    Act 161 of 1857 · P.L. 140 · March 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  80. To incorporate the Huntingdon Gas Company.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 142 · March 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  81. Relative to Cemeteries and Burial Places in the county of York.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 144 · 1857 · Scanned page

  82. Relative to a certain lot or piece of ground in the city of Reading, commonly known as the German Lutheran burial ground.

    Act 165 of 1857 · P.L. 145 · March 31, 1857 · Scanned page

  83. Relating to Road Viewers in Delaware county.

    Act 166 of 1857 · P.L. 146 · March 31, 1857 · Scanned page

  84. Authorizing the Board of Property to examine and settle the claim of the heirs and legal representatives of John Hughes and Timothy Ryan, deceased.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 147 · March 31, 1857 · Scanned page

  85. Supplement to an act to authorize the burgess and town council of the borough of Media to erect Water Works, approved the sixth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 148 · March 31, 1857 · Scanned page

  86. To confirm the sale of certain real estate in tlie Twenty-third ward of the city of Philadelphia. Preamble

    Act 111 of 1857 · P.L. 150 · March 31, 1857 · Scanned page

  87. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Lumberville Delaware Bridge Company, approved the seventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five.

    Act 170 of 1857 · P.L. 150 · March 31, 1857 · Scanned page

  88. Supplement to the act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Philadelphia Tj-pographtcal Society," passed May seventh, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.

    Act 172 of 1857 · P.L. 152 · April 1, 1857 · Scanned page

  89. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Green Castle and Maiyland Line Turnpike or Plank Road Company, approred March twenty-ninth, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 162 of 1857 · P.L. 153 · March 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  90. Authorizing the Somerset and Johnstown Plank Road Company to borrow money.

    Act 173 of 1857 · P.L. 153 · April 1, 1857 · Scanned page

  91. Relative to Schools in the boroughs of Cannonsburg and Washington, in Washington county.

    Act 175 of 1857 · P.L. 155 · April 1, 1857 · Scanned page

  92. Relative to Cemeteries and fiarial Places in the county of York.

    Act 164 of 1857 · P.L. 156 · March 31, 1857 · Scanned page

  93. Supplementarj' to an act, approved March the seventeenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and foriy-five, incorporating the Springhouse and Suhaneytown Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 176 of 1857 · P.L. 156 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  94. To authorize the Lancaster and Marietta Turnpike Road Company to change the location of their road, at and near Shirk's ore bank.

    Act 177 of 1857 · P.L. 156 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  95. Supplement to an act incorporating the Ameiican Life Insurance and Trust Company.

    Act 179 of 1857 · P.L. 158 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  96. Relative to tolls on tlie Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal.

    Act 180 of 1857 · P.L. 159 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  97. Supplement to an act to provide for the erection of a house for the support and employment of the poor in the county of Beaver, approved the twenty-ninth day of March, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one. Sectiox 1.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 160 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  98. Authorizing the laying out of a State Road from the Emlinton bridge, in Venango county, to Butler, in Butler county, and to vacate a certain turnpike road in said counties.

    Act 183 of 1857 · P.L. 160 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  99. Authorizing the Commissioners of Beaver county to borrow money.

    Act 184 of 1857 · P.L. 162 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  100. Supplement to an act to reduce the expenses of collecting Taxes in the counties o! Washington and Greene.

    Act 185 of 1857 · P.L. 163 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

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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.