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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. Relating to certain elections in the township of Benzinger, in the county of Elk.

    Act 2 of 1858 · January 16, 1858 · Scanned page

  2. To authorize the purchase of a Residence for the Governor of the Comraonwealtb.

    Act 3 of 1858 · January 18, 1858 · Scanned page

  3. Relative to the Hanover and South "Whitehall Bridge Company, in the county of Lehigh.

    Act 4 of 1858 · January 22, 1858 · Scanned page

  4. To change the time of holding elections in the township of Porter, Jefferson

    Act 5 of 1858 · January 22, 1858 · Scanned page

  5. Relative to the pay of the Betiring Offieers of the General Assembly.

    Resolution 1 of 1858 · P.L. 515 · January 6, 1858 · Scanned page

  6. Relative to the Purchase of Certain Books for the Legislators.

    Resolution 2 of 1858 · P.L. 515 · February 1, 1858 · Scanned page

  7. Relatire to the account of F. Knox Morton, late Treasurer of the city of Philadelphia.

    Resolution 3 of 1858 · P.L. 517 · January 29, 1858 · Scanned page

  8. Providing for the Payment of Certain Expenses attending the late Inauguration of the Governor.

    Resolution 4 of 1858 · P.L. 518 · February 1, 1858 · Scanned page

  9. Providing for the Payment of Joseph Clark, late Supervisor of the Lower Western division of the Pennsylvania canal.

    Resolution 5 of 1858 · P.L. 518 · February 2, 1858 · Scanned page

  10. Relative to the Purchase of Diagrams for the use of the Senate and House of Representatives.

    Resolution 6 of 1858 · P.L. 519 · February 10, 1858 · Scanned page

  11. To pay Frederick Kittell certain compensation for services rendered to the House of Representatives at the commencement of the session of eighteen hundred and fiftj'-eight.

    Resolution 7 of 1858 · P.L. 520 · February 17, 1858 · Scanned page

  12. To provide fur the Printing of three hundred copies of the Constitution of tlie State, incUiding the recent Amendrnents, for the use of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

    Resolution 8 of 1858 · P.L. 520 · February 19, 1858 · Scanned page

  13. To supply certain Books to the Attorney General.

    Resolution 9 of 1858 · P.L. 521 · February 22, 1858 · Scanned page

  14. For the Payment of Uertain Moneys upon the Publication of the Legislative Record.

    Resolution 10 of 1858 · P.L. 521 · March 5, 1858 · Scanned page

  15. To pay certain moneys to the Executors of "William B. Gillis, late a Transcribing Clerk in the House of Representatives.

    Resolution 11 of 1858 · P.L. 522 · March 9, 1858 · Scanned page

  16. To pay Henry Menold for serving Writ of Election.

    Resolution 12 of 1858 · P.L. 522 · March 24, 1858 · Scanned page

  17. to Samuel Hazard, Editor of the Colonial Records and Pennsyl- Yania Arcbivea.

    Resolution 13 of 1858 · P.L. 522 · March 24, 1858 · Scanned page

  18. Relative to a Revised Penal Code of Pennsylvania. 1.

    Resolution 14 of 1858 · P.L. 523 · April 19, 1858 · Scanned page

  19. Relative to the Cliiini uf A. K.

    Resolution 15 of 1858 · P.L. 525 · April 20, 1858 · Scanned page

  20. Relative to a Revised Penal Code of Pennsylvania.

    Resolution 16 of 1858 · P.L. 525 · April 21, 1858 · Scanned page

  21. Extending the Time of Payment of the Amounts due from Sureties of Jacob M.

    Resolution 17 of 1858 · P.L. 526 · 1858 · Scanned page

  22. In favor of Jacob Rodermill.

    Resolution 18 of 1858 · P.L. 526 · April 21, 1858 · Scanned page

  23. Relative to the Pay of certain Officers of the Legislature.

    Resolution 19 of 1858 · P.L. 527 · May 22, 1858 · Scanned page

  24. Relative tc the Accounts of F. Knox Morton, late Treasurer of the city and county of Philadelphia.

    Resolution 20 of 1858 · P.L. 527 · April 21, 1858 · Scanned page

  25. Relative to the Appointment of Officers of the

    Resolution 22 of 1858 · P.L. 527 · April 22, 1858 · Scanned page

  26. Relating to the Public

    Resolution of 1858 · P.L. 528 · April 22, 1858 · Scanned page

  27. Relative to Paying Expenses of Committee appointed to investigate the Accounts of the late County Treasurer of Philadelphia.

    Resolution 23 of 1858 · P.L. 529 · April 22, 1858 · Scanned page

  28. Relttiye to the Cabinet of Geological Specimens beloDging to the Commonwealth.

    Resolution 24 of 1858 · P.L. 608 · October 13, 1858 · Scanned page

  29. Relative to the Cabinet of Geological Specimens belonging to the Commonwealth.

    Resolution of 1858 · P.L. 609 · December 9, 1858 · Scanned page

  30. To pay for Printing for the late Board of Revenue Commissioners.

    Resolution 25 of 1858 · P.L. 620 · October 13, 1858 · Scanned page

  31. For the Printing and Publishing of the Journals and Acts of Assembly for the Extra Session of one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.

    Resolution 26 of 1858 · P.L. 620 · December 8, 1858 · Scanned page

  32. Supplemental to the several acts relating to the Collection of Taxes in Lawrence county.

    Act 17 of 1859 · P.L. 13 · January 27, 1859 · Scanned page

  33. Repealing an act changing the venue of a certain Action from Union to JSTorthumberkind county, approved April thirteenth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.

    Act 18 of 1859 · P.L. 15 · January 27, 1859 · Scanned page

  34. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Tyrone and Lock Haven Railroad Company,

    Act 19 of 1859 · P.L. 15 · February 1, 1859 · Scanned page

  35. To change the place of holding Iho General, Special ami Township Elections lur the township of West Branch, in the county of Potter. Where.a^s, The house in which the elections were hekl, in the township of West Branch, in the county of Potter, has become vacant and the elections can no longer be held there : ^i7id whereas, The elections in said township are to be held on the third Friday

    Act 20 of 1859 · P.L. 16 · February 1, 1859 · Scanned page

  36. To incorporate The Presbyterian Church of Harrisburg.

    Act 21 of 1859 · P.L. 17 · February 1, 1859 · Scanned page

  37. To confirm the title to a certain lot, late the estate of Arthur Howell, deceased.

    Act 22 of 1859 · P.L. 19 · February 2, 1859 · Scanned page

  38. Relative to recording a certain Ordinance of the city of Allegheny,

    Act 23 of 1859 · P.L. 20 · February 2, 1859 · Scanned page

  39. In relation to the Railroad between Chambersburg and Hagerstown, Preamble.

    Act 24 of 1859 · P.L. 20 · February 2, 1859 · Scanned page

  40. Supplement to an act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the West Chester and Wilmington Plank Road Company.

    Act 25 of 1859 · P.L. 22 · February 3, 1859 · Scanned page

  41. To incorporate the Western Market Company.

    Act 27 of 1859 · P.L. 23 · February 4, 1859 · Scanned page

  42. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad Company, approved the fifth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

    Act 28 of 1859 · P.L. 25 · February 5, 1859 · Scanned page

  43. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Williamsport Water Company, and for other, purposes, passed the eighteenth day of April, one thousand eight hun- ^ dred and fifty-three.

    Act 29 of 1859 · P.L. 26 · February 9, 1859 · Scanned page

  44. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Fayette County Railroad Company.

    Act 30 of 1859 · P.L. 27 · February 9, 1859 · Scanned page

  45. To attach part of Washington Township to the Borough of Edenhoro', for school purposes.

    Act 31 of 1859 · P.L. 28 · February 9, 1859 · Scanned page

  46. Supplement to the act relative to the Collection of Taxes in Crawford county, and for other purposes, passed the twenty-seventh day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

    Act 32 of 1859 · P.L. 30 · February 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  47. To require the Register of Wills in and for Luzerne county, to record in a book or books, the appraisements, inventories and vendue lists of pergonal property.

    Act 33 of 1859 · P.L. 31 · February 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  48. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Commonwealth Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, passed the thirteenth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 35 of 1859 · P.L. 32 · February 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  49. To repeal the tenth section of the act of the twenty-sixth of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, entitled "An Act authorizing the laying out of a State Road in Moi;tgomery and Bucks counties; relative to Fishing in certain streams in Fotter county, and fur other purposes."

    Act 36 of 1859 · P.L. 33 · February 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  50. For the relief of Isaac Gulick, Collector of Militia Taxes in Montour county, for the year eighteen hundred and fifty-seven.

    Act 37 of 1859 · P.L. 34 · February 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  51. Declaring Plunkets Creek, in Lycoming county, a Public Highway.

    Act 38 of 1859 · P.L. 34 · February 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  52. To sundry acts relating to the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 39 of 1859 · P.L. 35 · February 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  53. the Auditor General and State Treasnrer to sell the stock belonging to the State, in the Washington and Williamsport Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 40 of 1859 · P.L. 36 · February 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  54. Relative to the opening and making of new roads and bniMing of bridges in the township of West Marlborough, in the county of Chester, and relative to repairing the roads in said township.

    Act 43 of 1859 · P.L. 38 · February 12, 1859 · Scanned page

  55. Relative to Roads in Salem township, Wayne county.

    Act 44 of 1859 · P.L. 41 · February 12, 1859 · Scanned page

  56. To incorporate the Ponn Warehouse Company.

    Act 45 of 1859 · P.L. 42 · February 12, 1859 · Scanned page

  57. To amend and extend the charter of the Mutual Fire Insurance Companj of Germantown and its vicinity.

    Act 46 of 1859 · P.L. 45 · February 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  58. To the Charter incorporating the Borough of Allentown.

    Act 47 of 1859 · P.L. 49 · February 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  59. Supplement to an act approred April third, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, entitled " An Act regulating Boroughs," so lar as relates to the borough of

    Act 48 of 1859 · P.L. 50 · February 16, 1859 · Scanned page

  60. To secure & stiictev accountabiii*y of Certain Public Officers in Schuylkill couoty.

    Act 49 of 1859 · P.L. 51 · February 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  61. Relating to Sheriff's and Prothonotary's costs in Luzerae countj.

    Act 50 of 1859 · P.L. 54 · February 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  62. To authorize the Trustees of the Associate Reformed, now the United Presbyterian Congregation, in the city of Erie, to sell certain property, and to remove the bodies of persons interred therein.

    Act 51 of 1859 · P.L. 55 · February 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  63. For the relief of certain Collectors of Taxes In Washington county.

    Act 52 of 1859 · P.L. 56 · February 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  64. Supplement to an act incorporating the Railroad Car Spring Company, approved the fourteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.

    Act 53 of 1859 · P.L. 57 · February 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  65. Relative to the distribution of the Geological Survey of the State.

    Act 54 of 1859 · P.L. 58 · February 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  66. To provide for the erection of a Ilouse for the Employment and Support of the Poor of the county of Susquehanna.

    Act 55 of 1859 · P.L. 58 · February 18, 1859 · Scanned page

  67. To incorporate the Delaware and Schuylkill Dredging Company.

    Act 56 of 1859 · P.L. 63 · February 18, 1859 · Scanned page

  68. Authorizing and requiring the Commissioners of Union co;inty to deliver to the Corjuiissioners of Snyder county, eertaiu Assestsment Books belonging to Snyder county.

    Act 58 of 1859 · P.L. 68 · 1859 · Scanned page

  69. Relative to the Juniata Township Election District, in the county of Perry.

    Act 59 of 1859 · P.L. 69 · February 21, 1859 · Scanned page

  70. To incorporate the Association for the construction of a Statue of George Washington.

    Act 60 of 1859 · P.L. 70 · February 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  71. Supplement to an act to provide (or the erection of a House for the Employment and Support of the Foor in the county of Schuylkill, passed the fourth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 71 · February 23, 1859 · Scanned page

  72. To incorporate the Franklin Market Company of

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 72 · February 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  73. Relative to Pawnbrokers in the citj' of Philadelphia.

    Act 63 of 1859 · P.L. 74 · February 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  74. To appoint Commissioners to re-survey and esfablisli the lines of the main road running through a part of Wilkesbarre township, in the county of Luzerne.

    Act 67 of 1859 · P.L. 76 · February 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  75. Relating to certain Charitable Corporations.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 78 · February 25, 1859 · Scanned page

  76. to Strays in Venango countyj

    Act 70 of 1859 · P.L. 79 · February 25, 1859 · Scanned page

  77. To repeal an act to change the place of holding Elections in Porter town« shiji, Schuylkill county, approved the ninth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.

    Act 71 of 1859 · P.L. 80 · February 25, 1859 · Scanned page

  78. Relating to the Navigation of Pine Creek, in Warren county.

    Act 73 of 1859 · P.L. 81 · February 25, 1859 · Scanned page

  79. Supplementary to an act to enable the Commissioners of the county of Warren to effect certain Compromises, approved the twenty-seventh day of January, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine. 1

    Act 74 of 1859 · P.L. 81 · February 25, 1859 · Scanned page

  80. To increase the pay of the County Commissioners and Auditors of Indiana county.

    Act 75 of 1859 · P.L. 82 · February 25, 1859 · Scanned page

  81. For the relief of Henry Bumgardner, a soldier of the Indian war of one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four.

    Act 76 of 1859 · P.L. 83 · February 25, 1859 · Scanned page

  82. Authorizing the appointment of Commissioners to run the Boundary Lines between the counties of Clinton and Centre.

    Act 77 of 1859 · P.L. 83 · February 25, 1859 · Scanned page

  83. To confer on James Morrison, of Washington connty, all the Rights anfl Fiivileges of a Child born in lawful Wedlock.

    Act 78 of 1859 · P.L. 84 · February 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  84. extend the limits of tiie Borough of Pottsville, in the county of Schuylkill.

    Act 79 of 1859 · P.L. 85 · February 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  85. Supplement to an act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Norristown, Bridgeport and King of Prussia Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 80 of 1859 · P.L. 86 · February 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  86. To incorporate the Security Fire Insurance Company to be located in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 81 of 1859 · P.L. 87 · February 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  87. Relative to the Election of the Town Council of the borough of West Greenville, in Mercer county.

    Act 83 of 1859 · P.L. 88 · March 1, 1859 · Scanned page

  88. Relating to the Fees of Aldermen and Constables, in criminal and penal cases in the city of Philadelphia, and to issuing process therein.

    Act 84 of 1859 · P.L. 89 · March 1, 1859 · Scanned page

  89. Authorizing the Commissioners of the county of Somerset to sell property owned and occupied for the use of the poor of said county.

    Act 85 of 1859 · P.L. 90 · March 1, 1859 · Scanned page

  90. To incorporate the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia.

    Act 87 of 1859 · P.L. 92 · March 1, 1859 · Scanned page

  91. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Pittshurg and Steubenville Railroad Company, approved the twenty-fourth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.

    Act 88 of 1859 · P.L. 92 · March 1, 1859 · Scanned page

  92. Authorizing Asa Dimoclc, Administrator of the Estate of his son, Lafayette G. Dimock, late of Harrisburg, deceased, to sell and convey certain unimproved and unproductive Lands belonging to said Estate.

    Act 89 of 1859 · P.L. 93 · March 1, 1859 · Scanned page

  93. Relating to the Leverington Cemetery Company.

    Act 90 of 1859 · P.L. 94 · February 25, 1859 · Scanned page

  94. To incorporate the Luzerne Powder Company.

    Act 91 of 1859 · P.L. 94 · February 25, 1859 · Scanned page

  95. Supplement to an act to erect the town of Sunbnry, in the county of Northumberland, into a Borough.

    Act 92 of 1859 · P.L. 96 · March 2, 1859 · Scanned page

  96. To incorporate a Company by the name, style and title of the Waynesbiirg Turnpike Road Company, with power to construct a Road from a point at or near the mouth of Bates Fork Ten Mile Creek, by the way of Waynesburg, to the east end of Morrisville, in Greene county, Pennsylvania.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 99 · March 2, 1859 · Scanned page

  97. Relating to the Borough of Lebanon.

    Act 95 of 1859 · P.L. 101 · March 3, 1859 · Scanned page

  98. Authorizing Robert Given, of Westmoreland county, to built a Dam across Conemaugh River.

    Act 96 of 1859 · P.L. 101 · March 3, 1859 · Scanned page

  99. For the Protection of Dogs in York countj.

    Act 98 of 1859 · P.L. 104 · March 3, 1859 · Scanned page

  100. To incorporate the International Union of Art and Literature.

    Act 100 of 1859 · P.L. 105 · March 4, 1859 · 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.