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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 Sonthwark Soup Society of Philadelphia.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 107 · February 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  2. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Borough of York.

    Act 103 of 1859 · P.L. 109 · 1859 · Scanned page

  3. Relating to Road Views and Road Damages in Northumberland county.

    Act 104 of 1859 · P.L. 111 · March 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  4. To authorize the Schuylkill Valley Railroad Company, in the county of Schuylkill, to extend their Railroad from some suitable point near the town of Tuscarora, to connect with the Little Schuylkill Railroad at or near the town of Tamaqua.

    Act 105 of 1859 · P.L. 113 · March 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  5. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Byberry and Bensalem Turnpike Road Company, approved March tenth, one thousand eight hundred and fortyeight.

    Act 106 of 1859 · P.L. 113 · March 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  6. To erapii-R-er the Judges of tlie Court of Common Pleas of the countiei* of Beaver, Butler and Lawrence, to establish a Taiitf of Fees and Coster in Equity Cases.

    Act 107 of 1859 · P.L. 114 · March 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  7. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Delaware and Schuylkill Basin Company, passed April ninth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-tive.

    Act 108 of 1859 · P.L. 115 · March 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  8. Supplement to an act regulating the manner of voting at the General Election in the co'-intiea of Wayne and Schuylkill, approved the eighth day of April, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.

    Act 110 of 1859 · P.L. 116 · March 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  9. For the Division of the Borough of Allentown into Wards.

    Act 111 of 1859 · P.L. 117 · March 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  10. To change the place of holding the General and Township Elections iu the township of Upper Paxtou, Dauphin county.

    Act 112 of 1859 · P.L. 119 · March 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  11. Relating to the Borough of Fottstown.

    Act 113 of 1859 · P.L. 120 · March 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  12. To annul the Marriage Contract between William R. Priestly and Annie V. M.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 121 · March 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  13. Relative to the Elections in Somerset county.

    Act 116 of 1859 · P.L. 122 · 1859 · Scanned page

  14. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Newtown Siinare and Paoli Phmk Road Company, approved the ninth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and fittythree.

    Act 117 of 1859 · P.L. 123 · March 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  15. To extend the Powers of the High Constable of the borough of Media, in Delaware county.

    Act 118 of 1859 · P.L. 123 · March 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  16. To authorize the School Directors of the borough of Bedford to Borrow Money.

    Act 119 of 1859 · P.L. 124 · March 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  17. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Meadville Railroad Company, approved the twentieth day of May, Anno Doaiini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.

    Act 120 of 1859 · P.L. 125 · March 10, 1859 · Scanned page

  18. Supplement to an act lo incorporate the Johnstown Woollen Manufacturing

    Act 121 of 1859 · P.L. 126 · March 12, 1859 · Scanned page

  19. Supplement to an act to incorporate the North- Western Coal and Iron Company.

    Act 124 of 1859 · P.L. 129 · March 12, 1859 · Scanned page

  20. AN AC T Kelative to Roads in the township of Great Bend, county of Susquehanna.

    Act 125 of 1859 · P.L. 130 · March 12, 1859 · Scanned page

  21. Authorizing the Court of Quarter Sessions of Columbia county to appoint Auditors for Conyngham township, in said county.

    Act 126 of 1859 · P.L. 131 · March 12, 1859 · Scanned page

  22. To incorporate the Boatmen's Insurance Company.

    Act 127 of 1859 · P.L. 132 · March 12, 1859 · Scanned page

  23. To repeal an act relative to Roads and Bridges in Jackson township, Huntingdon county, approved the twenty-second April, one thousand eight hundred and tifty-seven.

    Act 128 of 1859 · P.L. 133 · March 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  24. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Union School and Children's Home Asylum; to provide for the Taxation of non-resident Venders of Merchandize in the city of Philadelphia, and for the relief of Edward Hutchinson.

    Act 129 of 1859 · P.L. 134 · March 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  25. Relative to the appointment of Road and Bridge Viewers in the county of Somerset.

    Act 130 of 1859 · P.L. 134 · March 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  26. To reduce the number of Directors of the American Mutual Insuiance Company of Philadelphia.

    Act 131 of 1859 · P.L. 135 · March 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  27. Establishing the place for holding Elections in the First "Ward of the city of Carbondale.

    Act 132 of 1859 · P.L. 135 · March 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  28. Kstablisliing the place for holding Elections in the township of Carbondale.

    Act 133 of 1859 · P.L. 136 · March 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  29. To regulate the Compensation of County Commissioners, Poor Directors, Auditors and Jurymen in the county of Northampton.

    Act 134 of 1859 · P.L. 137 · March 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  30. Relative to the Election of Supervisors in the township of Salem, in the county of Westmoreland.

    Act 135 of 1859 · P.L. 138 · March 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  31. To amend the Road Laws of Montgomery county.

    Act 136 of 1859 · P.L. 139 · March 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  32. Supplement to the act approved April tenth, one thousand eight hundred and twentysix, entitled "An Act to protect tho Public in the full Ivenefit and enjoyment of the works constructed for the purposes of Inland Navigation.

    Act 137 of 1859 · P.L. 140 · March 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  33. To provide for the payment of the Expenses of the Special Election held in Luzerne countyj June eighth, one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 138 of 1859 · P.L. 141 · March 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  34. Authorizing the qualified Voters of the township of Hamilton, In tho county of Monroe, to elect two additional Supervisors.

    Act 139 of 1859 · P.L. 141 · March 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  35. Supplement to an act authorizing the appointment of an Auctioneer in the borough and township of Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, approved the fifth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.

    Act 140 of 1859 · P.L. 142 · March 16, 1859 · Scanned page

  36. the Sale of the German School house and Lot of Ground in Myerstown, Lebanon county.

    Act 142 of 1859 · P.L. 144 · March 16, 1859 · Scanned page

  37. To inc'Oaporate the Suffolk Park Association.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 145 · March 12, 1859 · Scanned page

  38. To axilliorize tlie Citizens of Butler township, Schuylkill county, Iiercafttr to elect br.t one Supervisor.

    Act 145 of 1859 · P.L. 146 · March 16, 1859 · Scanned page

  39. To change the place of holding the Elections in the borough of J^ewville, county of Cumberland.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 147 · March 16, 1859 · Scanned page

  40. Repealing the act relative to Roads and Bridges in the county of Mercer.

    Act 150 of 1859 · P.L. 150 · March 16, 1859 · Scanned page

  41. Relating to Auctions and Auctioneers within the county of Lawrence.

    Act 152 of 1859 · P.L. 151 · March 16, 1859 · Scanned page

  42. Supplement to the act incorporating the Cambria Iron Company.

    Act 154 of 1859 · P.L. 153 · March 16, 1859 · Scanned page

  43. Relating to Auctions in the Borough of York.

    Act 157 of 1859 · P.L. 156 · March 16, 1859 · Scanned page

  44. Supplement to the act incorporating the borough of York.

    Act 158 of 1859 · P.L. 157 · March 16, 1859 · Scanned page

  45. Supplement to an act to incorporate the City of Erie.

    Act 159 of 1859 · P.L. 158 · March 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  46. To incorporate the Philadelphia and New Orleans Steam Navigation Company.

    Act 160 of 1859 · P.L. 162 · March 15, 1859 · Scanned page

  47. To confer on Henry Brodrick, of Carbon county, the righis and privileges of a Child born in lawful Wedlock.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 164 · March 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  48. To allow the Philadelphia Bank to buy additional Real Estate.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 165 · March 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  49. Relative to the Northumberland Improvement Companj'.

    Act 164 of 1859 · P.L. 166 · March 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  50. Relating to Trustees of Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania.

    Act 165 of 1859 · P.L. 167 · March 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  51. Supplement to an act to incorporate the South Mountain Railroad Company, approved the fifth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fiftyfour.

    Act 166 of 1859 · P.L. 167 · March 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  52. For the appointment of Auditors for the borough of Tunkhannock, in rhe county of Wyoming, and changing the time of holding Borougli Election.

    Act 167 of 1859 · P.L. 168 · March 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  53. To divide the borough of Scranton into two wards.

    Act 168 of 1859 · P.L. 170 · March 17, 1859 · Scanned page

  54. Supplement to the act incorporating the Marshall Savings Institution of Philadelphia.

    Act 169 of 1859 · P.L. 173 · March 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  55. Supplement to the act, entitled " An Act for incorporating St. Paul's Church, in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 170 of 1859 · P.L. 173 · March 18, 1859 · Scanned page

  56. To refund to William Coulter certain moneys and expenses paid by hira fo the Commissioners of tho Nicholson Court.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 174 · March 18, 1859 · Scanned page

  57. To incorporate the Newtown Gas Light Company.

    Act 174 of 1859 · P.L. 176 · March 18, 1859 · Scanned page

  58. To enable the Commissioners of Clarion county to erect a new Conrt House in the borough of Clarion, in said county. Preamble. WiiRRE.\s, On the tenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, the court house in the borough aforesaid, county aforesaid, was destroyed by fire: j3nd whereas, The public interests of the said county require the same to be rebuilt, and the powers

    Act 176 of 1859 · P.L. 178 · March 18, 1859 · Scanned page

  59. to the Public Highways in East Bradford township, Cbestei county.

    Act 177 of 1859 · P.L. 179 · March 18, 1859 · Scanned page

  60. Authorizing the Trustees of the Corporation of the Presbyterian Churcfe at Mechanicsburg, Cumberlaiid county, to borow a certain amount o§ money.

    Act 178 of 1859 · P.L. 180 · March 19, 1859 · Scanned page

  61. To exonerate James T. Leonard, Prothonotary of Clearfield county, from the payment of Costs, Taxes, et cetera, on his Commission.

    Act 179 of 1859 · P.L. 181 · March 19, 1859 · Scanned page

  62. For the relief of Mary TTashington, widow of an old soldier.

    Act 180 of 1859 · P.L. 181 · March 19, 1859 · Scanned page

  63. To extend the Charter of the Dauphin Deposit Bank.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 182 · March 19, 1859 · Scanned page

  64. Supplement to an act incorporating the Odd Fellows Hall Association of the city of Pittsburg, and county of Allegheny, approved the twenty-first day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

    Act 183 of 1859 · P.L. 184 · March 19, 1859 · Scanned page

  65. To incorporate tho Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Middle Pennsylvania.

    Act 184 of 1859 · P.L. 184 · March 19, 1859 · Scanned page

  66. To change the time of holding the Courts of Clearfield county.

    Act 185 of 1859 · P.L. 186 · March 21, 1859 · Scanned page

  67. Relative to Roads in East Marlborough and New London townships, Chester county.

    Act 186 of 1859 · P.L. 186 · March 21, 1859 · Scanned page

  68. Supplement to the act incorporating the Lewisburg, Centre and Spruce Creek Railroad Company.

    Act 187 of 1859 · P.L. 187 · March 21, 1859 · Scanned page

  69. To exempt certain Real Estate in the county of Allegheny from the payment of the Collateral Inheritance Tax.

    Act 189 of 1859 · P.L. 189 · March 21, 1859 · Scanned page

  70. Supplement to the act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Minersville Water Company.

    Act 190 of 1859 · P.L. 190 · March 21, 1859 · Scanned page

  71. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Hilltown Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 191 of 1859 · P.L. 191 · March 21, 1859 · Scanned page

  72. Relating to the Overseers of the borough of Lewisburg.

    Act 192 of 1859 · P.L. 191 · March 21, 1859 · Scanned page

  73. To repeal an act for the protection of Sheep and taxing of Dogs in the county of Blair.

    Act 193 of 1859 · P.L. 192 · March 21, 1859 · Scanned page

  74. Relating to the Norristown Academy.

    Act 194 of 1859 · P.L. 193 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  75. To extend the power of Prothonotaries and Clerks to administer oaths.

    Act 195 of 1859 · P.L. 194 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  76. To annex part of the Landfi of Eli Lichtenberger, in Elizabeth township, Lancaster county, to Penn township, in said county. "Wheheas, Eli Lichtenberger, of Elizabeth township, Lancaster county, labors under great inconvenience on account of his dwelling house being situate in the extreme western part of said township, while almost his entire farm is situate in Fenn township, in said county

    Act 196 of 1859 · P.L. 194 · 1859 · Scanned page

  77. Supplement to the act incorporating the Plymouth Eailroad Company, passed the nineteenth day of Alarch, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.

    Act 197 of 1859 · P.L. 195 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  78. To authorize the Auditor General and the State Treasurer to open and resettle the accounts of the Franklin Fire InsuriUice Company of Philadelphia.

    Act 198 of 1859 · P.L. 196 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  79. Supplement to an act, approved February sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, entitled " A supplement to an act, approved April third, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, entitled ' An Act regulating boroughs,' so far as rehxtes to the borough of Fhoenixville.

    Act 199 of 1859 · P.L. 197 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  80. To abolish the oflSce of Sealer of Weights and Measures in certain counties of this Commonwealth.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 198 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  81. Extending the time for the commencement and completion of the Schuylkill Haven and Lehigh River Railroad.

    Act 202 of 1859 · P.L. 199 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  82. To provide for the payment of the claim of Peter S.

    Act 203 of 1859 · P.L. 199 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  83. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Quakake Railroad Company.

    Act 204 of 1859 · P.L. 200 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  84. Authorizing the Auditor General and State Treasurer to examine and report upon the claim of the bail of Henry D. Rodearmel, late Supervisor of the Susquehanna Division of the Pennsylvania Canal.

    Act 205 of 1859 · P.L. 201 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  85. To change the place of holding Elections in Liberty township, Montour county.

    Act 207 of 1859 · P.L. 202 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  86. To incorporate the Citizens' Passenger Railway Company of the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 208 of 1859 · P.L. 203 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  87. Relative to Orphans' Courts.,

    Act 209 of 1859 · P.L. 207 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  88. Supplement to an act to incorporate the village of Port Carbon into a Borough, approved the twenty third day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and filty-two.

    Act 210 of 1859 · P.L. 208 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  89. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Chestnut Hill Water Company, passed April the twenty-fourth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 211 of 1859 · P.L. 209 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  90. To pay the claim of Charles Fisher.

    Act 212 of 1859 · P.L. 209 · March 23, 1859 · Scanned page

  91. 'S'o repeal an act regulating the manner of voting at the General Election in the counties of Wayne and Schuylkill, so far as said act relates to the county of Schuylkill.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 211 · March 23, 1859 · Scanned page

  92. Certain acts repealed. Subject to the provisions of act regulating boroughs. Corporate name. Jllectiftns, when lieid. i!lect!on of borough officers. Reaidence. Torni? of ofl\ec. Vacancio.' how ri)lcc}. Kurijrss and assi.suint burgess. Auditors. ludgw aofi in- ■ipjijturs To repeal former acts relating to the borough of Schuylkill Haven, in the county of Schuylkill, and extending the

    Act 215 of 1859 · P.L. 212 · March 23, 1859 · Scanned page

  93. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Lock Haven and Flemington Plank Road and Turnpike Company, approved tlie sixth day of February, Anno Domim one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 216 of 1859 · P.L. 214 · March 23, 1859 · Scanned page

  94. To authorize the Election of two additional Supervisors in TTashington and Richhill townships, Greene county.

    Act 217 of 1859 · P.L. 214 · March 23, 1859 · Scanned page

  95. Abolishing the separate School District erected out of a portion of the township of Upper Salford, in the county of Montgomery.

    Act 218 of 1859 · P.L. 215 · March 23, 1859 · Scanned page

  96. For the relief of Kachel George, widow of an old soldier.

    Act 219 of 1859 · P.L. 216 · March 23, 1859 · Scanned page

  97. Relating to the limits of the borough of WrightsviJle, York county.

    Act 220 of 1859 · P.L. 216 · March 23, 1859 · Scanned page

  98. In reference to ceitain Mortgages therein stated.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 217 · March 23, 1859 · Scanned page

  99. For the relief of Stephen H.

    Act 221 of 1859 · P.L. 217 · March 23, 1859 · Scanned page

  100. To incorporate the Fairmount Market Company.

    Act 224 of 1859 · P.L. 219 · March 16, 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.