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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. To incorporate the Evergreen Cemetery Association of Gettysburg.

    Act 722 of 1857 · P.L. 716 · March 3, 1857 · Scanned page

  2. To extend the Charter of the Lycoming CouDty Mutual Insurance Company.

    Act 723 of 1857 · P.L. 719 · March 29, 1857 · Scanned page

  3. To incorporate the East Brandywine Railroad Companje

    Act 724 of 1857 · P.L. 720 · March 31, 1857 · Scanned page

  4. To incorporate the Franklin and Bedford Railroad Company.

    Act 725 of 1857 · P.L. 721 · May 5, 1857 · Scanned page

  5. To incorporate the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, in "VYestmcreland county.

    Act 727 of 1857 · P.L. 724 · May 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  6. To incorporate the M'Canley MountaiD Railroad Company.

    Act 726 of 1857 · P.L. 725 · May 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  7. To Annul the Marriage Contract between Dorothea Barndt and Augusts Barndt.

    Act 728 of 1857 · P.L. 726 · June 13, 1857 · Scanned page

  8. To Annul the Marriage Contract between Charles Schlatter and Carolinej his wife.

    Act 729 of 1857 · P.L. 726 · December 14, 1857 · Scanned page

  9. Relative to the Estate of the Revereiid Robert Blackwell, D. D., deceased.

    Act 730 of 1857 · P.L. 727 · February 9, 1857 · Scanned page

  10. To the Charter of the Thomas Iron Company, approved April four, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four,

    Act 731 of 1857 · P.L. 728 · March 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  11. To incorporate the Mount Moriah Cemetery Association of Philadelphia.

    Act 732 of 1857 · P.L. 729 · March 27, 1857 · Scanned page

  12. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Commercial Fire Insurance Company of Pennsylvania," approved the twenty-third day of February, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.

    Act 733 of 1857 · P.L. 731 · March 30, 1857 · Scanned page

  13. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Philadelphia and New Hope Railroad Company.

    Act 734 of 1857 · P.L. 732 · April 5, 1857 · Scanned page

  14. To re-charter the North America Coal

    Act 735 of 1857 · P.L. 733 · April 9, 1857 · Scanned page

  15. To incorporate the Elm Mutual Insurance Companjof Philadelphia.

    Act 736 of 1857 · P.L. 733 · April 27, 1857 · Scanned page

  16. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Penn's Manor Meadow Company, in the county of Bucks.

    Act 737 of 1857 · P.L. 738 · April 30, 1857 · Scanned page

  17. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Allegheny and Bald Esigle Railroad, Coal and Iron Company.

    Act 738 of 1857 · P.L. 739 · May 2, 1857 · Scanned page

  18. To incorporate the Indiana Gas Company,

    Act 739 of 1857 · P.L. 740 · May 5, 1857 · Scanned page

  19. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Williams Valley Railroad and Mining Company, in Dauphin and Schuylkill counties.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 743 · November 3, 1857 · Scanned page

  20. Relating to the Estate and Name of William and Cornelius Vansant.

    Act 742 of 1857 · P.L. 746 · January 31, 1857 · Scanned page

  21. To incorporate the Lewisburg Gas Company.

    Act 743 of 1857 · P.L. 746 · January 31, 1857 · Scanned page

  22. Supplement to an act incorporating the Coudersport, Portage and Allegheny River Railroad Company, approved the twelfth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.

    Act 744 of 1857 · P.L. 750 · February 4, 1857 · Scanned page

  23. Supplement to an act to authorize the Governor to incorporate the "West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad Company, approved the eleventh day of April, one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.

    Act 745 of 1857 · P.L. 750 · February 6, 1857 · Scanned page

  24. To incorporate the Williamsport Gas Company.

    Act 746 of 1857 · P.L. 751 · February 7, 1857 · Scanned page

  25. To incoi-porate the Tuscarora "Water Company, at Tuscarotaj in the cotmty of Schuylkill.

    Act 747 of 1857 · P.L. 754 · February 11, 1857 · Scanned page

  26. To incorporate the MoshanDon Goal and Iron Company.

    Act 741 of 1857 · P.L. 756 · January 31, 1857 · Scanned page

  27. To incorporate the Milton Gas Company.

    Act 748 of 1857 · P.L. 758 · 1857 · Scanned page

  28. To incorporate the Western Transportation Company.

    Act 749 of 1857 · P.L. 761 · March 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  29. Supplement to an act relating to the Farrandsville Company, passed the twenty-third day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eiglit himdred and fifty-four.

    Act 750 of 1857 · P.L. 762 · March 25, 1857 · Scanned page

  30. Supplement to an act incorporating the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and State Line Railroad Company, passed eleventh April, one thousand eight hundred and fil'ty-three.

    Act 751 of 1857 · P.L. 763 · March 29, 1857 · Scanned page

  31. Relating to the Hollenback Coal Company.

    Act 753 of 1857 · P.L. 765 · March 29, 1857 · Scanned page

  32. Extending Ihe time for commencing the Columbia and Octoraro Raikoad.

    Act 754 of 1857 · P.L. 766 · March 29, 1857 · Scanned page

  33. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Cumberland Valley Railroad Conipanj.

    Act 755 of 1857 · P.L. 767 · April 1, 1857 · Scanned page

  34. To incorporate the New Granada Mineral Land

    Act 756 of 1857 · P.L. 768 · April 3, 1857 · Scanned page

  35. To authorize the Governor to ''ncorporate a Companjto erect a Bridge over the Conemangh river at or near Nineveh, in the county of Indiana.

    Act 757 of 1857 · P.L. 769 · April 4, 1857 · Scanned page

  36. Supplement to an act incorporating the Franklin Railroad Company, passed the twelfth day of iMarch, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.

    Act 758 of 1857 · P.L. 770 · April 9, 1857 · Scanned page

  37. To Divorce Samuel and Salina Gallaher.

    Act 759 of 1857 · P.L. 771 · April 9, 1857 · Scanned page

  38. To incorporate the Enterprise Insurance Company.

    Act 760 of 1857 · P.L. 772 · April 9, 1857 · Scanned page

  39. Relative to tl^e Philadelphia and Sinihnrj- Railroad Companr.

    Act 761 of 1857 · P.L. 772 · April 11, 1857 · Scanned page

  40. To incorporate the Schuylkill Fire and Marine Insurance Company.

    Act 762 of 1857 · P.L. 773 · April 11, 1857 · Scanned page

  41. To incorporate the Bellefonte Gas Company, in the county of Centre.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 774 · April 11, 1857 · Scanned page

  42. To incorporate the "Washington and Maryland Line Railroad Company.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 775 · April 12, 1857 · Scanned page

  43. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Lock Haven Gas and Water Company, approved the eleventh day of February, Anno Domini one thoosaDd eight hundred and flfty-foar.

    Act 752 of 1857 · P.L. 776 · March 29, 1857 · Scanned page

  44. To incorporate the North Branch Insurance Company of Bradford county,

    Act 765 of 1857 · P.L. 777 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  45. To incorporate the Robert Morris Insurance Company.

    Act 766 of 1857 · P.L. 778 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  46. Supplement to an act to authorize the Governor to incorporate a Company for erecting a Bridge over the river Susqueluiniui at the borough of Towanda, the Seat of Justice in the County of Bradford, approved the fourteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one.

    Act 767 of 1857 · P.L. 778 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  47. To incorporate the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Dover, Conewago, Newberry and East and West Manchester townships, in the county of York.

    Act 768 of 1857 · P.L. 779 · April 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  48. To incorporate the East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company.

    Act 769 of 1857 · P.L. 780 · April 19, 1857 · Scanned page

  49. To incorporate the North-Westeru Coal and Iron Company.

    Act 771 of 1857 · P.L. 784 · 1857 · Scanned page

  50. To chacge the name of the N'orth-Western Coal and Iron Company.

    Act 772 of 1857 · P.L. 785 · April 19, 1857 · Scanned page

  51. To incorporate the Chester and Philadelphia Steamboat Company.

    Act 773 of 1857 · P.L. 786 · April 19, 1857 · Scanned page

  52. To incorporate the ■Washington Gas Company.

    Act 774 of 1857 · P.L. 788 · April 19, 1857 · Scanned page

  53. To incorporate the Neptune Insurance Coropany of Philadelphia.

    Act 775 of 1857 · P.L. 791 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  54. To incorporate the Schaylkill Haven and Lehigh River Railroad Gompaaiy.

    Act 770 of 1857 · P.L. 792 · April 19, 1857 · Scanned page

  55. To incorporate the Lebanon Mutual Insurance

    Act 776 of 1857 · P.L. 792 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  56. To incorporate the Nescopeck Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

    Act 777 of 1857 · P.L. 792 · April 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  57. To increase the Capital Stock of the Columbia Bank.

    Act 778 of 1857 · P.L. 793 · April 24, 1857 · Scanned page

  58. Supplement to the act incorporating the Mountain Coal Company.

    Act 779 of 1857 · P.L. 794 · 1857 · Scanned page

  59. Allowing Bills of Exception and Writs of Error in Criminal Cases.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 795 · November 6, 1857 · Scanned page

  60. Supplement to an act further to regulate Proceedings in Courts of Justice, and for other purposes, approved the sixth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and forty-four.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 797 · November 6, 1857 · Scanned page

  61. Seiating to Banks, Saving, Trust and Insurance Companies.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 797 · November 6, 1857 · Scanned page

  62. Supplement to an act relating to Damages for Injuries producing Death.

    Act 783 of 1857 · P.L. 798 · December 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  63. Authorizing the incorporation of the Stroudsburg Bank, at Stioudsburg.

    Act of 1857 · P.L. 799 · July 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  64. To incorporate the Meadville Railroad Compacy.

    Act 786 of 1857 · P.L. 801 · May 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  65. Supplement to an act. entitled '^ An Act to incorporate the Philadelphia and Delaware 1 River Railroad Company," parsed April fourth, one thousand eight huni dred and fifty-four.

    Act 787 of 1857 · P.L. 802 · June 9, 1857 · Scanned page

  66. To incorporate the Bank of Beaver County.

    Act 788 of 1857 · P.L. 804 · 1857 · Scanned page

  67. To incorporate the Altoona Gas Company,

    Act 789 of 1857 · P.L. 805 · May 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  68. Supplement to an act further to regulate Proceedings in Courts of.fustice, and for other purposes, approved the sixth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and forty-four.

    Act 781 of 1857 · P.L. 807 · November 6, 1857 · Scanned page

  69. Fielating to Banks, Saving, Trust and Insurance Companies.

    Act 782 of 1857 · P.L. 807 · November 6, 1857 · Scanned page

  70. Legitimating Eiulen Physick.

    Act 1 of 1857 · January 7, 1857 · Scanned page

  71. Providing for the pay of the retiring officers of the present Legislature,

    Act 2 of 1857 · January 13, 1857 · Scanned page

  72. Supplement to an act relating to Certain Corporations.

    Act 3 of 1857 · January 22, 1857 · Scanned page

  73. Relative to roads in Wasliington county.

    Act 4 of 1857 · January 23, 1857 · Scanned page

  74. To change the place of holding elections in the township of Allen, in Washington county.

    Act 5 of 1857 · January 23, 1857 · Scanned page

  75. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company of Philadelphia," passed the fourth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 6 of 1857 · January 30, 1857 · Scanned page

  76. Giving tlie consent of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for the United States of America to purchase a lot in the city of Philadelphia, on which to erect Post Office Buildings.

    Act 7 of 1857 · 1857 · Scanned page

  77. To change the name of the Board of Missions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.

    Act 8 of 1857 · January 30, 1857 · Scanned page

  78. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act relating to the estates of decedents and minor's in the county of Lawrence," passed and approved March twenty-first, eighteen hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 9 of 1857 · January 31, 1857 · Scanned page

  79. EESOLUTION Eelatire to the Purchase of certain Books for the Legislature.

    Resolution 1 of 1857 · P.L. 670 · January 30, 1857 · Scanned page

  80. Providing for the Payment of Diagrams ordered b}the Senate and House of Representatives.

    Resolution 3 of 1857 · P.L. 671 · January 31, 1857 · Scanned page

  81. For the Payment of a Sum of Money to George Bergner & Co., on account of the Publication of the Daily Legislative Record.

    Resolution 4 of 1857 · P.L. 672 · February 7, 1857 · Scanned page

  82. Selative to the Pay of John Zeihe and Levi M'Cormick, Assistant Doorkeepers of the House.

    Resolution 6 of 1857 · P.L. 673 · February 17, 1857 · Scanned page

  83. Providing for the Appointment of Officers of the House of Representatives.

    Resolution 7 of 1857 · P.L. 673 · February 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  84. Relative to the PaymsDt of the Witnesses in the case of the Contested Election of John Ramsey.

    Resolution 9 of 1857 · P.L. 674 · February 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  85. Authorizing the erection of Additional Gas Lamps on the Public Grounds.

    Resolution 10 of 1857 · P.L. 675 · March 10, 1857 · Scanned page

  86. La regard to the Payment of the Salary of Charles B. Penrose, deceased, as a Member of the Senate.

    Resolution 11 of 1857 · P.L. 675 · April 17, 1857 · Scanned page

  87. Relatiye to the AppointmeDt of ftn additiona] Assistant Messenger of tbr House.

    Resolution 8 of 1857 · P.L. 676 · February 20, 1857 · Scanned page

  88. Relative to the Expenses attending the Funeral Ceremonies of Hon. Charles B. Penrose, deceased.

    Resolution 12 of 1857 · P.L. 676 · April 18, 1857 · Scanned page

  89. For the Paj-meut of William B. Gillis, late a Transcribing Clerk of the House of Representatives.

    Resolution 13 of 1857 · P.L. 676 · April 28, 1857 · Scanned page

  90. Relative to the Pay of Nelson Weiser.

    Resolution 14 of 1857 · P.L. 677 · May 6, 1857 · Scanned page

  91. Providing for the Payment of certain Expenses of the late Committee of Investigation.

    Resolution 15 of 1857 · P.L. 677 · May 8, 1857 · Scanned page

  92. Requiring the Secretary of the Commonwealth to Purchase Colonial Records and Pennsylvania Archives.

    Resolution 16 of 1857 · P.L. 678 · May 13, 1857 · Scanned page

  93. In relation to the Pay of Nelson Weiser.

    Resolution 17 of 1857 · P.L. 679 · May 15, 1857 · Scanned page

  94. Relative to a Bridge in Lawrence county.

    Resolution 18 of 1857 · P.L. 679 · May 16, 1857 · Scanned page

  95. Relative to the Interment of J. M. B. Petrikin, deceased.

    Resolution 19 of 1857 · P.L. 680 · May 19, 1857 · Scanned page

  96. Relative to the Pay of the Officers of the Legislature.

    Resolution 20 of 1857 · P.L. 681 · 1857 · Scanned page

  97. Relative to Binding the Pamphlet Laws and Documents for Members and Officers of the Legislature.

    Resolution 21 of 1857 · P.L. 681 · May 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  98. Relative to Clerk Hire in the Attorney General's Office.

    Resolution 22 of 1857 · P.L. 682 · April 21, 1857 · Scanned page

  99. Authorizing the School Directors of the borough of New Brighton, Beaver county, to borrow money.

    Act 6 of 1858 · P.L. 5 · January 28, 1858 · Scanned page

  100. To change the time of holding township and borough elections in the county of Glinton.

    Act 7 of 1858 · P.L. 5 · January 28, 1858 · 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.