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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 the act to authorize the Burgess and Town Council of the borough of Media to erect water worlds, approved the sixth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 294 of 1857 · P.L. 253 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  2. Supplement to an act to Reform the Penal Laws of this Commonwealth, approved the seventeenth day of January, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one.

    Act 295 of 1857 · P.L. 253 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  3. Requiring the townships of South MiddletoD and Monroe, in the county o Cumberland, to Kepair a Certain Road.

    Act 296 of 1857 · P.L. 254 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  4. Relative to Roads in Preston township, Wayne county.

    Act 297 of 1857 · P.L. 255 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  5. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Commonwealth Insurance Company at Ilarrisburg," approved the thirteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 298 of 1857 · P.L. 255 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  6. To provide for the Correction of a Clerical Error in the act relative to the Erie canal. Wheeeas, a certain act of the general assembly, approved the twenty-third day of April, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, entitled " An Act to restrain the Eire canal company from fixing exorbitant rates of tolls, and for other purposes," refers to an act in relation to the Erie canal

    Act 300 of 1857 · P.L. 257 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  7. To permit the School Directors of the borough of Bridgeport, Montgomery county, to borrow money.

    Act 301 of 1857 · P.L. 257 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  8. Relative to the Property held by the Trustees of the Sheppard Legacy.

    Act 303 of 1857 · P.L. 259 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  9. To incorporate the Paxton Male and Female Seminary.

    Act 304 of 1857 · P.L. 260 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  10. To Separate the State and School Departments.

    Act 305 of 1857 · P.L. 263 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  11. Supplement to the act, entitled '*' An Act to incorporate the Erie City Railroad Company," approved the sixth dayof Apiil, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.

    Act 306 of 1857 · P.L. 264 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  12. To incorporate the Neshamony Hall Association.

    Act 307 of 1857 · P.L. 264 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  13. Relating to the Office and Duties of Attorney General.

    Act 308 of 1857 · P.L. 266 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  14. To incorporate the Richland and Trumbowersville Turnpike Road, in the county of Bucks.

    Act 309 of 1857 · P.L. 268 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  15. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Philadelphia Steam Tug Company, for Saving and Protecting Property.

    Act 310 of 1857 · P.L. 269 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  16. To iucorporate the Marine Exploring Companj'.

    Act 311 of 1857 · P.L. 270 · April 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  17. To authorize the Guardian of Franklin Meyer Berger to sell certain Real

    Act 312 of 1857 · P.L. 272 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  18. For the Relief of Joseph and Catharine Pine.

    Act 313 of 1857 · P.L. 273 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  19. For the relief of Eleanor Hillary, widow of an old soldier.

    Act 314 of 1857 · P.L. 273 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  20. Authorizing the payment of certain moneys to the Orphans' Asylum of Lancaster.

    Act 315 of 1857 · P.L. 274 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  21. To confer on the District Court of Allegheny county certain powers relatirc to

    Act 316 of 1857 · P.L. 274 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  22. Giving tbc Cotirts power to fix the time and places of holding Elections for Directors of Independent School Districts in the county of Wayne.

    Act 317 of 1857 · P.L. 275 · 1857 · Scanned page

  23. Supplement to an act relative to the Barryville and Shohola Suspenson Bridge Companj-, approved the third day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 318 of 1857 · P.L. 276 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  24. Supplement to the act incorporating the Franklbrd and Germantown Turnpike Road Company, approved the eighteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty

    Act 319 of 1857 · P.L. 277 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  25. To IB act to repeal the Seventh Section of. an act Incorporating the Boxborough Lycenm, approved the eighth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and flAy-four, ^ nd to vest the Trust of certain School Property iu the city of Philadelphia, approved the thirteenth day of February, one tkouaand eight hundred and fifty-seven.

    Act 320 of 1857 · P.L. 277 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  26. Rdlatire to the sale of the Old School-house property in the village of New Holland, in Lancaster county.

    Act 321 of 1857 · P.L. 278 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  27. Relative to M'Kee street, in the borough of Birmingham.

    Act 322 of 1857 · P.L. 280 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  28. To authorize the Orphans' Court of Allegheny county to grant a review of the administration account of John li. Boughman, administrator of Andrew llendrickson, deceased.

    Act 323 of 1857 · P.L. 280 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  29. To vacate part of Cross Gut street, in Ross township, Allegheny county.

    Act 324 of 1857 · P.L. 281 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  30. Relative to Roads and Bridges ia Jaclcson township, Huntingdon county.

    Act 325 of 1857 · P.L. 282 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  31. To ap23oint Commissioners to view and lay out a State Road in Warren and Venango counties.

    Act 326 of 1857 · P.L. 284 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  32. Authorizing the laying out of a State Road from Muncy, Lycoming countj; by way of Lairdsville, to Laporte, SuUivau county.

    Act 327 of 1857 · P.L. 285 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  33. For the relief of.T:inc Flood, widow of an old soldier.

    Act 328 of 1857 · P.L. 286 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  34. Relative to opening a State Road in the township of Lower Merion, approved the nineteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fil'ty-six.

    Act 329 of 1857 · P.L. 287 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  35. Supplementary to an act, entitled " An Act to incorporatethe Honesdale and Mast Hope Flank Koad Company, in Wayne and Pike counties, and for otlier purposes," approved the thirteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty.

    Act 332 of 1857 · P.L. 290 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  36. To empower T^'illiam Duane to close a certain Trust.

    Act 333 of 1857 · P.L. 291 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  37. Relating to Inquisitions in the county of Erie.

    Act 334 of 1857 · P.L. 292 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  38. To autboiize the Allegheny Yalley Railroad to issue a Preferred Stock.

    Act 335 of 1857 · P.L. 293 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  39. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Swatara RaHroad Company, formerly the Swatara and Good Spring Creek Railroad Company, approved the second day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one.

    Act 336 of 1857 · P.L. 294 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  40. For the relief of Mary Williard, widow of an old soldier.

    Act 337 of 1857 · P.L. 295 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  41. Supplement to an act relative to the laying out of a certian State Road from Curwinsville, Clearfield county, through the towns of Indiana and Saltsburg, io Indiana county, and through AYestraoreland county to East Liberty, in Allegheny county, and for laying out certain State Roads, and for other purposes, approved the sixteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.

    Act 338 of 1857 · P.L. 296 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  42. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Harmonia Sacred Music Society of Philadelphia, approved the fouith day of May, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

    Act 339 of 1857 · P.L. 296 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  43. To amend the Road Laws of Bucks county.

    Act 310 of 1857 · P.L. 297 · 1857 · Scanned page

  44. Supplement to an act relating to Assignees for the benefit of Creditors and other Trustees.

    Act 341 of 1857 · P.L. 298 · April 23, 1857 · Scanned page

  45. Authorizing the State Treasurer to pay Certain Claims for Damages on the Erie Extension of the Pennsylvania Canal.

    Act 342 of 1857 · P.L. 299 · April 23, 1857 · Scanned page

  46. For the relief of Sarah Duff, widow of an old soldier.

    Act 343 of 1857 · P.L. 299 · 1857 · Scanned page

  47. For the relief of Elizabeth Shields, widow of an old soldier.

    Act 344 of 1857 · P.L. 300 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  48. For the relief of Mary Cunningham, widow of a soldier of the Indian war.

    Act 345 of 1857 · P.L. 300 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  49. To authorize the School Directors of Fairfield township, Crawford county, to build a Town and School House.

    Act 347 of 1857 · P.L. 302 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  50. To extend the Powers of the Susquehanna Collegiate Institute and Normal School, in Bradford county.

    Act 348 of 1857 · P.L. 303 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  51. Supplement to an act to incorporate the New Brighton Female Seminary, approved the twelfth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty.

    Act 349 of 1857 · P.L. 303 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  52. Supplement to an act relating to Counties and Townships and County and Township Officers, approved April fifteenth, A.nno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.

    Act 350 of 1857 · P.L. 304 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  53. To repeal the act of the tenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, limiting the Commencement of Piosecutions for Misdemeanors to two years.

    Act 351 of 1857 · P.L. 305 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  54. Relative to Fishing with Nets in Middle creek, in the county of Snyder, and Penns creek, in the county of Union.

    Act 352 of 1857 · P.L. 306 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  55. Relating to the Collection of Road Tax in the township of Spvingcreek, Warren county.

    Act 353 of 1857 · P.L. 307 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  56. Authorizing a State Road from Dushore, Sullivan county, to the north corner of Harvey's lake, in Luzerne county.

    Act 354 of 1857 · P.L. 307 · 1857 · Scanned page

  57. Regulating Fences in Erie county.

    Act 355 of 1857 · P.L. 309 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  58. Relative to Roads in Indiana county.

    Act 356 of 1857 · P.L. 310 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  59. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Spring Garden Plank Road Company of York county.

    Act 357 of 1857 · P.L. 310 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  60. Supplement to the act concerning Plank Roads leading from Erie to Meadville, passed the eighth day of May, ouo thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 358 of 1857 · P.L. 311 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  61. To incorporate the Glenn Hope and Independence Plank Road and Turnpike Company.

    Act 359 of 1857 · P.L. 313 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  62. To incorporate the Barreu Hill and Spring Mill Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 361 of 1857 · P.L. 315 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  63. To enable the Snow Shoe and Packersville Turnpike Company to rebuild a Bridge over Clearfield creek, in Clearfield county, and collect toll on the same.

    Act 362 of 1857 · P.L. 316 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  64. To authorize the Re-construction or Repair of a certain Bridge, by the County Commissioners of Bedford county.

    Act 364 of 1857 · P.L. 317 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  65. To incorporate the Paddy's Run Bridge Company.

    Act 365 of 1857 · P.L. 318 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  66. Relative to Insurance Companies.

    Act 366 of 1857 · P.L. 318 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  67. For the Support of Coudersport Academy.

    Act 367 of 1857 · P.L. 319 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  68. To incorporate the St. Mary's and Ridgway Plank Road Company, Sectiox 1.

    Act 368 of 1857 · P.L. 320 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  69. To Confirm certain Proceedings in the Court of Common Pleas for the city and county of Philadelphia, for the Extinguishment of a Ground Rent, et cetera.

    Act 369 of 1857 · P.L. 322 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  70. To extend the charter of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture.

    Act 370 of 1857 · P.L. 324 · April 25, 1857 · Scanned page

  71. To incorporate the Quakake Railroad Compaoj.

    Act 371 of 1857 · P.L. 324 · April 25, 1857 · Scanned page

  72. Giving the Consent of this Commonwealth to the United States to Purchase a certain property in the city of Philadelphia, for the purpose of erecting a Court House.

    Act 372 of 1857 · P.L. 326 · April 25, 1857 · Scanned page

  73. Supplement to an act incorporating the borough of Easton.

    Act 373 of 1857 · P.L. 327 · April 27, 1857 · Scanned page

  74. Supplement to an act providing for the Election of District Attorneys.

    Act 374 of 1857 · P.L. 328 · April 27, 1857 · Scanned page

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

    Act 375 of 1857 · P.L. 329 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  76. Supplement to an act to erect the town of Green Castle, in the county of Franklin, into a borough, approved March twenty-fifih, one thousand eight hundred and five.

    Act 376 of 1857 · P.L. 329 · 1857 · Scanned page

  77. To lEcorporate the Philadelphia and Creseut Navigation Companj.

    Act 377 of 1857 · P.L. 331 · 1857 · Scanned page

  78. Relative to the Boundary Lines of Centre and Clinton counties.

    Act 378 of 1857 · P.L. 332 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  79. To authorise the Commissidners of Luzerne county to Borrow Monoy.

    Act 379 of 1857 · P.L. 333 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  80. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act to provide for the election of aa Additional Law Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in the S'lxth Judicial Oistrict,"' approved the seventeenth day tf April, one thousand eight hundred and fiftysix.

    Act 380 of 1857 · P.L. 334 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  81. Relative to Road and Bridge Viewers in Carbon county.

    Act 381 of 1857 · P.L. 335 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  82. For the relief of Allabach and Flancagan.

    Act 382 of 1857 · P.L. 336 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  83. To the acts of Assembly incorporating the borough of Allentown.

    Act 383 of 1857 · P.L. 337 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  84. To authorize the State Treasurer to close the Accounts of certain Treasurers and Collectors.

    Act 385 of 1857 · P.L. 339 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  85. To authorize the Town Council of the borough of Towanda to levy a special Money Tax.

    Act 386 of 1857 · P.L. 340 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  86. Relating to the Collection of Taxes in East Earl township, Lancaster coontj.

    Act 387 of 1857 · P.L. 340 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  87. To repeal the second, third and fourth sections of the act approved the eighteenth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, entitled " An Act to Establish and Regulate the Erie School Districts," et cetera.

    Act 388 of 1857 · P.L. 341 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  88. To authorize David Engle, Trustee of the Paradise congregation, and Conrad Diffenbach, Trustee of the Strawberry Ridge congregation of the German Reformed Church of Northumberland county, to sell and convey certain Real Estate. Section 1.

    Act 389 of 1857 · P.L. 342 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  89. Relative to the Real Estate of John Invin, late of Fawn township, York county, deceased.

    Act 390 of 1857 · P.L. 343 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  90. Eelating to the Collection of Tolls on the Bridge over Sawmill Run, in Allegheny county, on the Steubenville Turnpike Road.

    Act 391 of 1857 · P.L. 343 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  91. To amend an act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Musical Fund Society of Philadelpliia, approved February twenty-second, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three.

    Act 392 of 1857 · P.L. 344 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  92. To authorize the Larnhertville Gas Light Company to supply the inhabitants of the town of New Uope, and its vicinity, in the county of Bucks, with Gas.

    Act 393 of 1857 · P.L. 346 · 1857 · Scanned page

  93. To charter the Allegheny Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 394 of 1857 · P.L. 346 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  94. Relative to the "Willowstreet and Pequa Valley Turopike Road Company.

    Act 395 of 1857 · P.L. 347 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  95. Supplement to an act to re-charter certain Banks, approved the twenty-fifth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and twenty-four.

    Act 396 of 1857 · P.L. 348 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  96. Supplement to the act incorporating tlie Hempfield Railroad Coinpan}-, Si-oTioN 1.

    Act 397 of 1857 · P.L. 349 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  97. Supplement to the act incorporating the Allentown Railroad Companj'.

    Act 398 of 1857 · P.L. 349 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  98. To authorize the Tyrone and Clearfield Railroad Company to Borrow Money.

    Act 399 of 1857 · P.L. 351 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  99. Relative to the Allentown Water Company.

    Act 400 of 1857 · P.L. 351 · 1857 · Scanned page

  100. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Warehousing Company of Philadelphia, approved April twenty-second, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 401 of 1857 · P.L. 352 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

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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.