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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. Fixing the time of meeting of Township Auditors in the county of

    Act 186 of 1857 · P.L. 163 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  2. Supplement to an act to legalize the election of Auditors in the borough of Williamsport, Lycoming county, approved April twenty-second, one thousand eight hundred and flfty-six.

    Act 187 of 1857 · P.L. 164 · 1857 · Scanned page

  3. To increase the daily pay of the County Commissioners and County Auc!!tors of Cambria county.

    Act 188 of 1857 · P.L. 164 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  4. Relative to the Records in the Treasurer's office of Cambria county.

    Act 190 of 1857 · P.L. 165 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  5. Kepealing an act regulating Fishing in the Big Sewickly creek, and its tributaries, in Westmoreland county.

    Act 191 of 1857 · P.L. 166 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  6. Regulating the Manner of Voting at the general election in the counties of Wayne and Schuylkill.

    Act 192 of 1857 · P.L. 167 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  7. To authorize the sale of certain property of the Union Bridge Company in Mifflin and Huntingdon counties.

    Act 193 of 1857 · P.L. 167 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  8. Authorizing the Commissioners of Huntingdon county to exonerate Joseph Miller from the payment of certain taxes.

    Act 194 of 1857 · P.L. 168 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  9. Kelative to tbe re-location of a part of the Indiana and Armstrong Turnpike.

    Act 195 of 1857 · P.L. 169 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  10. To vacate certain streets in the Twenty-third waid of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 196 of 1857 · P.L. 169 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  11. Supplement to an act for the preservation of Game in York, Montgomery and Lancaster counties.

    Act 198 of 1857 · P.L. 171 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  12. Relative to the defalcation of A. A. Douglass, late Collector of Tolls at Hollidaysburg.

    Act 199 of 1857 · P.L. 171 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  13. Supplement to an act to provide for the election of Prothonotaries, Clerks, Recorders and Registers, approved the second day of July, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and tliirty-nine.

    Act 200 of 1857 · P.L. 172 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  14. To alter the time of holding the Courts of Chester

    Act 201 of 1857 · P.L. 173 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  15. To repeal an act to straighten part of a street in the borough of West Pittsburg, approved the eighteenth day of February, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty

    Act 202 of 1857 · P.L. 173 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  16. Relative to the Coroner of Chester county.

    Act 203 of 1857 · P.L. 174 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  17. To prevent the bunting of Deer with dogs in the county of Clarion.

    Act 204 of 1857 · P.L. 174 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  18. Relating to the recovery of Ground Rents in Philadelphia,

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 175 · 1857 · Scanned page

  19. To repeal the eleventh section of an act, entitled '■' An act to incorporate Bustleton and Ilolmeshurg Turnpike Road Company,"' and for other purposes, apjiroved the eigliteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 176 · 1857 · Scanned page

  20. Supplement to the act incorporating the Monoogahela Navigation Company, approved March thirty-first^ one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.

    Act 206 of 1857 · P.L. 176 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  21. Relative to Road Taxes in the township of Corydon, Warren ccunty.

    Act 208 of 1857 · P.L. 177 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  22. Relating to Hawkers and Pedlers in Susquehanna county.

    Act 209 of 1857 · P.L. 177 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  23. To Prevent Fishing at certain seasons of the year in Mountain l:ik«, in the townsliip of Burlington, count} of Bradford.

    Act 210 of 1857 · P.L. 178 · 1857 · Scanned page

  24. Relative to the Taxing of Dogs in certain townships in the counties of Chester and York.

    Act 211 of 1857 · P.L. 179 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  25. To authorize John Sparhawic, Trustee of Eliza A. Camphell, to Re-convey Certain Property, and to Annul the Trust heretolore made to him.

    Act 212 of 1857 · P.L. 179 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  26. Authorizing tho Auditor General to Settle the Accounts of the Clerks of tha Senate and House of Representatives, for Diagrams ordered by the Two Houses.

    Act 213 of 1857 · P.L. 180 · April 9, 1857 · Scanned page

  27. Relative to the Last Will and Testament of James Franklin Alexander

    Act 214 of 1857 · P.L. 181 · April 9, 1857 · Scanned page

  28. Supplement to the act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Mount Moriah Cemetery Association of Philadelfjhia," passed the twenty-seventh day of March, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.

    Act 215 of 1857 · P.L. 182 · April 9, 1857 · Scanned page

  29. To enable WilHam Soby, Trustee tbr the Union Preshyterian Church of the Northern Liberties, to Re-convey a certain Lot of Ground.

    Act 216 of 1857 · P.L. 182 · April 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  30. To authorize the Patenting of Oiit-Tracts, and In anrl Out-Lots in the towns Erie, Waterfurd, \yanen, Beaver and Franklin.

    Act 217 of 1857 · P.L. 183 · April 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  31. Supplement to an act relative to the Lehigh and Luzerne Railroad Company, approved the twelfth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 218 of 1857 · P.L. 184 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  32. To incorporate the Equinunk Bridge Company.

    Act 219 of 1857 · P.L. 185 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  33. Authorizing the qualified voters of the townships of Blooming Grove and Lehman, in the county of Pike, and Strond township, in the county of Monioe, to elyct additional Supervisors of Koads and Highways for said townships.

    Act 220 of 1857 · P.L. 186 · April 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  34. Supplement to an act to incorporale the Johnstown Water and Gas Company.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 189 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  35. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Beaver Meadow Railroad and Coal Company.

    Act 223 of 1857 · P.L. 189 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  36. Supplement to an act relating to the Support and Employment of the Poor, approved the thirteenth day of June, Auuo Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty

    Act 224 of 1857 · P.L. 191 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  37. Supplement to the act incorporating the Philadelphia Board of Trade, approved tha nineteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.

    Act 227 of 1857 · P.L. 192 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  38. To incorporate the Marietta and Maytown Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 228 of 1857 · P.L. 193 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  39. Changing the Time of Holding the Spring Elections in Green township. Indiana coonty.

    Act 226 of 1857 · P.L. 194 · April 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  40. Relating to Notaries Public in Carbon and U'ayne counties.

    Act 230 of 1857 · P.L. 195 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  41. To Prevent Animals Running at Large ia Erie comxlj.

    Act 231 of 1857 · P.L. 196 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  42. Authorizing the Commissioners of Erie county to aid tlie Girard Union Agricultural Society.

    Act 232 of 1857 · P.L. 196 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  43. To incorporate the Westmoreland County Normal School and Academy Association.

    Act 233 of 1857 · P.L. 197 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  44. To Extend to the Connty of Schuylkill the Provisions of an act, entitled " An Act to enable.Toint Tenants, Tenants in Common and Adjoining Owners of Mineral Lands in this Commonwealth, to manage and develop the same.

    Act 234 of 1857 · P.L. 199 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  45. Authorizing the School Directors of Hyde Park borough, Luzerne county, to Sell certain Real Estate.

    Act 235 of 1857 · P.L. 199 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  46. To Repeal the First, Second and Third Sections of an act, approved the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.

    Act 236 of 1857 · P.L. 200 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  47. Authorizing the Canal Commissioners to make a Deed to Samuel F. Dale, for property sold to him on the French Creek Division, Pennsylvania Canal.

    Act 237 of 1857 · P.L. 201 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  48. To Prevent the Destruction of Fish in the Allegheny river and its tributaries.

    Act 238 of 1857 · P.L. 201 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  49. To Prevent the Destruction of Grey Squirrels in Cumberland county.

    Act 239 of 1857 · P.L. 202 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  50. To Prevent the Killing of Wild Game in Oliver township, Mifllin county.

    Act 240 of 1857 · P.L. 203 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  51. For the Relief of Piiscilla Cooper.

    Act 241 of 1857 · P.L. 203 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  52. Relative to the Collection of Water Rents in the City of Allegheny.

    Act 242 of 1857 · P.L. 204 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  53. Supplement to an act Regulating the Assessment and Collection of Township Taxes in the counties of Bradford, Tioga and Potter, and fixing the manner of Re-viewing and Confirming Roads, approved the thirteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and furty-hix.

    Act 243 of 1857 · P.L. 204 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  54. To Further Amend the Road Laws of Erie county.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 205 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  55. To Repeal the Eighteenth Section of an act authorizing the laying out of a State Road from Morgan's mill, in Beaver countj^, to West Middletown, in Washington county, and for other purposes.

    Act 246 of 1857 · P.L. 208 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  56. Relating to the Fennsjlvania Railroad Company.

    Act 247 of 1857 · P.L. 209 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  57. Supplement to an act relating to the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, approved the eighth day Of March, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 248 of 1857 · P.L. 209 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  58. To authorize the Controllers of the Public Schools of the First School District of Pennsylvania, to allow a Compensation to the Secretaries of the Several Sectional Boards coaiprised in said district.

    Act 249 of 1857 · P.L. 210 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  59. To MthorlM the Appomtmeiit of Kotarlet PnUie in ttM dty •f PIttitrarg, and ahw mi tddiUonAl Notary Public in Um borongli of Giraxd, Erie county.

    Act 251 of 1857 · P.L. 212 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  60. Authorizing the Commissioners of Jefferson county to receive the Returna of the Collectors of School Tax for tha year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, and of all other Taxes for one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 252 of 1857 · P.L. 212 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  61. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act for the Relief of the Overseers of the Poor in the borough of Erie, and for other purposes," approved the eighteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and forty-three.

    Act 253 of 1857 · P.L. 213 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  62. To Establish the Boundary Line, and to change the name of certain Streets in the city of Allegheny.

    Act 254 of 1857 · P.L. 214 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  63. To incorporate the Yellow Creek and Pattonsville Turnpike and Flank Soad Company.

    Act 255 of 1857 · P.L. 214 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  64. Supplementary to the act incorporating the Erie and Wattsburg Plank Road Company.

    Act 256 of 1857 · P.L. 215 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  65. To authorize the Burgess and Town Council of the borough of Saltsburg, Indiana county, to Release certain ground to the North-Western Kailroad Company.

    Act 257 of 1857 · P.L. 216 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  66. To Extend the Boundaries of the borough of Bellefonte.

    Act 258 of 1857 · P.L. 217 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  67. To authorize the Trustees of the Lancaster Cemetery to Sell Real Estate.

    Act 259 of 1857 · P.L. 217 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  68. To Legitimate Sarah M. Morgan, of Fayette county.

    Act 260 of 1857 · P.L. 218 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  69. For the Relief of Malinda Brooks.

    Act 262 of 1857 · P.L. 219 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  70. Attaching a certain piece of Land of Abner Kelley, of Shelocta, to his viihige property, for the purposes of Taxation.

    Act 263 of 1857 · P.L. 220 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  71. Fixing place of holding Elections in Scrantoii, Luzerne county.

    Act 261 of 1857 · P.L. 221 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  72. place of holding Elections in Scranton, Lucerne conntf.

    Act 264 of 1857 · P.L. 221 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  73. Supplement to the act Consolidating the city of Pliiladelphia.

    Act 265 of 1857 · P.L. 221 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  74. Regulating Party Walls in the city of Erie.

    Act 266 of 1857 · P.L. 222 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  75. Declaring Otter run, in the county of Lycoming, and Lick run, in the county of Clinton, Public Highways.

    Act 267 of 1857 · P.L. 223 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  76. Relating to the Treasurer of Pitt township, Allegheny county.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 224 · April 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  77. To Legitimate 'William Harrison Dressier.

    Act 268 of 1857 · P.L. 224 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  78. Relating to the Treasurer of Pitt township, Allegheny

    Act 269 of 1857 · P.L. 224 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  79. To establish a Feny over the Beaver river, at the village of Chewtown, Lawrence county.

    Act 272 of 1857 · P.L. 228 · April 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  80. Relating to fees of Aldermen, Justices of the Peace and Constables. iiECTioN 1.

    Act 273 of 1857 · P.L. 229 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  81. For the Relief of John L. Gaylord, of Bradford county.

    Act 274 of 1857 · P.L. 233 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  82. Supplementary to the act incorporating the borough of Easton.

    Act 275 of 1857 · P.L. 234 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  83. Providing for the alteration of the lines of Streets and Alleys, and the resurvey of certain jiarts of the borough of Easton.

    Act 276 of 1857 · P.L. 234 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  84. To widen Chesnut Street, in the borough of Pottstown.

    Act 277 of 1857 · P.L. 236 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  85. Anthorizing the Governor to Commission Auctioneers for the borough of Muncy, Lycoming county, and lor the borough of Lewisburg, Union county.

    Act 278 of 1857 · P.L. 236 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  86. To sathorize the erection of a Lock-up House in the borough of Punzautawney, in the county of Jefferson.

    Act 279 of 1857 · P.L. 237 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  87. Fixing tile time of holding Auditors' settlements in the boro'dgh of Punx* sutawney, Jefferson county.

    Act 280 of 1857 · P.L. 238 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  88. Increasing the number of Assessors in the Twenty-third ward and Twentyfourth ward of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 239 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  89. To authorize the citizeiiB residing within the limits of the Allegheny Ceme* tery to vote in the berough of Lawrenceville.

    Act 281 of 1857 · P.L. 239 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  90. Goncorning the Setting of Curb Stono, and the Paving of Side Walks io the city of Pittsburg.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 240 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  91. To nn act, entitled " Au Act 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," approvtid the.second day of March, Anao Domini one thousand eight hundred and flfty-five.

    Act 284 of 1857 · P.L. 242 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  92. To appoint Commissioners to view, lay ont and open a State Road in Warren and Venango counties.

    Act 285 of 1857 · P.L. 243 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  93. To incorporate the Milford and Richland Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 286 of 1857 · P.L. 245 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  94. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Morrison's Cove and Woodcock Vailey Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 287 of 1857 · P.L. 247 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  95. To incorporate a Plank and Turnpike Road Company, to he called the Walkersville and Boaleshurg Turnpike and Flank Road Company.

    Act 288 of 1857 · P.L. 247 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  96. To incorporate the Quakertoini and Spinnerstown Tnmplke Road Compuj.

    Act 289 of 1857 · P.L. 248 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  97. To incorporate the Grahamton and Deer Creek Turni^ike and Plank Koad Company.

    Act 290 of 1857 · P.L. 250 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  98. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Atlantic and Ohio Telegraph Company.

    Act 291 of 1857 · P.L. 251 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  99. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Wilkesbarre Gas Company, approved the twenty -ninth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 292 of 1857 · P.L. 251 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  100. To extend the charter of the Ashbury Beneficial Society of the city and county of Philadelphia.

    Act 293 of 1857 · P.L. 252 · March 11, 1857 · Scanned page

By decade

Constitution of 19681968–today

Constitution of 18741874–1967

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.