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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 an act incorporating the Shenfforstown Academy, in the county of Lebanon.

    Act 225 of 1859 · P.L. 220 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  2. Relating to Deer in the counties of Adams, Berks, Franklin and Fulton.

    Act 226 of 1859 · P.L. 220 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  3. To appoint a Road Commissioner to take chnrgo of a portion of the Warren and Brookville and of the Warren and Strattonville State Roads, in Forest county.

    Act 227 of 1859 · P.L. 221 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  4. Repealing a supplement to an act incorporating the borough of Newport, in the county of Periy.

    Act 229 of 1859 · P.L. 224 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  5. To amend the Charter of the borough of Jersey Shore.

    Act 230 of 1859 · P.L. 225 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  6. Supplement to the act incorporating the Directors of the Poor and House of Employ- ' ment lor the townships of Oxford and Lower Dublin, in the county of Philadelphia.

    Act 231 of 1859 · P.L. 226 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  7. In regard to Collectors in the county of Tioga.

    Act 232 of 1859 · P.L. 226 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  8. Repealing certain Supplements of the Wellsboro' and Tioga Plank Road Company.

    Act 233 of 1859 · P.L. 227 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  9. To Incorporate the Union Cemetery Association of the borough of Womelsdoif, Berks county.

    Act 234 of 1859 · P.L. 228 · March 1, 1859 · Scanned page

  10. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Big Mountain Improvement Company," approved April twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.

    Act 235 of 1859 · P.L. 230 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  11. Authorizing the Directors of the Poor, in the county of Cumberland, to re-build the Barn and other buildings lately destroyed by fire.

    Act 236 of 1859 · P.L. 231 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  12. Relative to taxing Dogs in West Nottingham township, Chester county.

    Act 237 of 1859 · P.L. 232 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  13. To provide for the election of an additional Supervisor in Wayne township, Mifflin county.

    Act 238 of 1859 · P.L. 233 · March 25, 1859 · Scanned page

  14. Extending the provisions of an act concerning the appointment of Road Viewers and Road Damages in Northampton county, to the county of Monroe, passed the twenty-second day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fitty-eight.

    Act 239 of 1859 · P.L. 233 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  15. To change the lines of the borough of California, in the county of Washington.

    Act 240 of 1859 · P.L. 234 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  16. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Fairmount and Arch Street City Passenger Railway Company, approved April sixteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.

    Act 241 of 1859 · P.L. 234 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  17. To encourage the destruction of Foxes in the county of Beaver.

    Act 242 of 1859 · P.L. 236 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  18. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Milton Saving Bank.

    Act 243 of 1859 · P.L. 237 · March 19, 1859 · Scanned page

  19. To provide for the collectiim of additional Taxes in the townsbip of Bingham, in the county of Potter.

    Act 244 of 1859 · P.L. 237 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  20. Relative to Passenger Raihvaj- Companies in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 239 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  21. Supplementary to an act relating to Roads, Highways and Bridges in the counties of "Warren, Venango and M'Kean, approved the ninth of April, one thousand eight hundred and fortj'-four.

    Act 246 of 1859 · P.L. 239 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  22. Supplement to an act relative to the Philadelphia and Treuton Railroad Company, approved the sixth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 240 · March 25, 1859 · Scanned page

  23. To incorporate the EichraoBd and Sclm^'lkill Passenger Railway Company, in the city of Fliiladelphia.

    Act 249 of 1859 · P.L. 241 · March 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  24. To incorporate the Philadelphia City Passenger Railway Company.

    Act 250 of 1859 · P.L. 243 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  25. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Commonwealth Insurance Company at Harrisburg.

    Act 252 of 1859 · P.L. 247 · 1859 · Scanned page

  26. To incorporate Grove Cemetery of New Brighton, Beaver county.

    Act 253 of 1859 · P.L. 247 · March 19, 1859 · Scanned page

  27. To incorporate the Farmers' Market Company.

    Act 254 of 1859 · P.L. 250 · March 19, 1859 · Scanned page

  28. To incorporate the Zoological Society of Philadelphia.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 252 · March 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  29. Tu an act to incorporate the x\lk'gheny Railroad and Coal Company, approved the twenty -first day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and tifty-luur.

    Act 257 of 1859 · P.L. 254 · March 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  30. To amend the Charter of the Chesnut Hill Iron Ore Company.

    Act 259 of 1859 · P.L. 256 · March 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  31. For the relief of Joseph Brady, a soldier of the Indian "War.

    Act 260 of 1859 · P.L. 257 · March 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  32. Supplement to an act incorporating the Mutual Saving and Loan Association of Philadelphia.

    Act 261 of 1859 · P.L. 258 · March 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  33. Authorizing Peter Martin, and others, Trustees, to sell a certain School House in Clay township, Lancaster county.

    Act 262 of 1859 · P.L. 259 · March 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  34. Regulating election of Borough Officers in Burlington, Bradford county.

    Act 263 of 1859 · P.L. 259 · March 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  35. To authorize Lewis R. Geer to erect a Ferry over the Allegheny river.

    Act 264 of 1859 · P.L. 260 · March 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  36. Supplement to an act to incorporate the "Westminster Collegiate Institute, approved April twenty-seventh, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

    Act 265 of 1859 · P.L. 261 · March 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  37. Supplement to the act consolidating the city of

    Act 266 of 1859 · P.L. 262 · March 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  38. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Citizens' Passenger Railway Company, approved the twenty-fifth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight. Sectiom

    Act 268 of 1859 · P.L. 263 · March 26, 1859 · Scanned page

  39. To incorporate the Ridge Avenue and Manayunk Passenger Railway Company.

    Act 270 of 1859 · P.L. 264 · March 28, 1859 · Scanned page

  40. To empower John Ranson to put a Sheer Boom in the Loyalsock creek.

    Act 271 of 1859 · P.L. 267 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  41. For the payment of certain moneys by the School Directors of Williams township, Northampton county.

    Act 272 of 1859 · P.L. 267 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  42. Supplement to the act incorporating the Perrysville, East Waterford and Waterloo Plank Road Company, approved the eighteenth day of Apiil, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.

    Act 273 of 1859 · P.L. 268 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  43. Authorizing the Commissioners of Adams county to sell and convey certain Real Estate.

    Act 276 of 1859 · P.L. 270 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  44. To revive and extend the act incorporating the Zieglerville and Kutztown Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 277 of 1859 · P.L. 271 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  45. To the Willow Street Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 278 of 1859 · P.L. 271 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  46. To grade, curb and pave Main Street, in the town of Myerstown, Lebanon ••. ■ county.

    Act 279 of 1859 · P.L. 272 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  47. For the better regulation of the Mercer County, Shenango Valley, Montour County and Allegheny County Agricultural Societies.

    Act 280 of 1859 · P.L. 274 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  48. ACT To incorporate the Ihjnglassville and Yellow House TurnpiUe Road Company.

    Act 281 of 1859 · P.L. 275 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  49. Supplement to the act whereby the Dock Coal Company was incorporated, under the act of Assembly of seventh of April, one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, entitled "An Act to encourage manufticturing operations in this Commonwealth," and the several supplements thereto.

    Act 282 of 1859 · P.L. 276 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  50. Supplement to the act incorporating the Donaldson Improvement and Railroad Company, formerly the Eagle Iron Company, approved the flfth day of May, A. b-, one thousand eight hundred and forty-one.

    Act 283 of 1859 · P.L. 277 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  51. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Mercer and New Castle Railroad Company.

    Act 285 of 1859 · P.L. 280 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  52. To prevent fishing with nets, seines and set-nets, in the East Conococheagiie Creek, below the borough of Chanibcrsbnrg, on the lands owned by Bernard V7oia' and William Ileyser, known as the lloUywell Paper Mill property.

    Act 286 of 1859 · P.L. 281 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  53. To change the place of holding elections in Piney townshij), in the county of Clarion.

    Act 287 of 1859 · P.L. 282 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  54. Supplement to the act incorporating the Patterson, Johnston, Penn Mills and Concord PlanU Koad (Jouipany, approved the eighteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and tifty-three.

    Act 288 of 1859 · P.L. 282 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  55. A J\ ACT Relating to public roads in Snyder and Juniata connties.

    Act 289 of 1859 · P.L. 283 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  56. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Blockley and Merion Turnpike and Plank Road Company, approved the fifth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fiily-thrcc.

    Act 292 of 1859 · P.L. 289 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  57. Supplement to an act in reference to running of Locomotive Engines and Carson Connecting Railroads, approved thirteenth March, one thousand tight hundred loity-seven.

    Act 293 of 1859 · P.L. 290 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  58. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Lcwisburg Building Association, having for its object the accumulation of a fund, which shall be loaned to its members to enable them to buy or build their own homes.

    Act 294 of 1859 · P.L. 291 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  59. To authorize the Chesnnt Hill Railroad Company to sell and dispose of certain real estate.

    Act 295 of 1859 · P.L. 292 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  60. Relative to Foreign Insurance Companies in the county of Erie.

    Act 297 of 1859 · P.L. 293 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  61. Relating to the collection of State and County Taxes in the county of Bucks.

    Act 298 of 1859 · P.L. 294 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  62. Extending the limits of the borough of Orwigsburg, in the county of Schuylliill.

    Act 299 of 1859 · P.L. 298 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  63. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad Company, apjiroved the twenty-third day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.

    Act 300 of 1859 · P.L. 299 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  64. To incorporate the Quicksilver Mining Company.

    Act 301 of 1859 · P.L. 300 · 1859 · Scanned page

  65. To define the limits of the borough of Lock Haven.

    Act 302 of 1859 · P.L. 302 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  66. Supplement to the act consolidating the City of Philadelphia.

    Act 303 of 1859 · P.L. 302 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  67. To prevent the destruction of Deer in certain counties of this

    Act 306 of 1859 · P.L. 306 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  68. For the relief of Anna Stackhouse, the widow of an old Soldier.

    Act 307 of 1859 · P.L. 306 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  69. To authorize the lading out of a Public Park in the borough of Ilarrisburg, to be called Harris

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 307 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  70. Relating to Roads and Bridges in Washington county.

    Act 310 of 1859 · P.L. 309 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  71. To incorporate the Whitcmarsh and Cheltenham Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 312 of 1859 · P.L. 311 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  72. Declaring Potts Run, in the county of Clearfield, a p;iblic highway.

    Act 313 of 1859 · P.L. 313 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  73. To incorporate the Ebensburg and Cresson Railroad Company,

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 314 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  74. Authorizing the laying out of a State road leading from Schroyer's Gap, in Clinton county, by way of M'Call's Mills, in Union county, to Spruce Run Gapj in Union county, to intersect theRuegler road, in said county.

    Act 316 of 1859 · P.L. 316 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  75. Relative to Supervisors in Perry county.

    Act 317 of 1859 · P.L. 317 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  76. For the better securing the Payment of the Wages of Labor in certain connties of this Commonwealth.

    Act 318 of 1859 · P.L. 318 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  77. To incorporate the Trustees of the Young Men's Christian Association Building of Philadelphia.

    Act 319 of 1859 · P.L. 320 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  78. To incorporate the Berks Connty Association for the improrement of the Breed of Stock.

    Act 320 of 1859 · P.L. 322 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  79. To incorporate the Fairmount and Manayunk Steamboat Company.

    Act 321 of 1859 · P.L. 323 · March 12, 1859 · Scanned page

  80. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Pliiladclphia City Passenger Railway Company, passed tlie twenty-sixth day of March, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty

    Act 322 of 1859 · P.L. 325 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  81. Anthorizing the Commissioners of Washington county to pay certain moneys to William Greenfield, of said county.

    Act 323 of 1859 · P.L. 326 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  82. To change the time of the meeting of the County Auditors of Northumberland county.

    Act 324 of 1859 · P.L. 326 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  83. To empower the electors of Pollock township, in the county of Lawrence, to elect Supervisors of Highways, and Overseeis of the Poor.

    Act 325 of 1859 · P.L. 327 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  84. To lay out a State Road in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties.

    Act 326 of 1859 · P.L. 327 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  85. Supplement to the act incorporating the borough of Apollo, Armstrong county.

    Act 327 of 1859 · P.L. 328 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  86. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Cochranville Hall Association, of Chester county, ajji^roved April twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and fiftyone.

    Act 328 of 1859 · P.L. 329 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  87. Supplement to an act to incorporate the University of Kittanning, approved the eighteenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.

    Act 329 of 1859 · P.L. 330 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  88. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Phwnix Iron Company, approved the twentyseventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.

    Act 331 of 1859 · P.L. 331 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  89. Relative to the Fees of the Sheriff of Crawford county.

    Act 332 of 1859 · P.L. 332 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  90. To prevent the destruction of Fish in the Swatara river and its tributaries.

    Act 335 of 1859 · P.L. 335 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  91. To incorporate the Wrightsville and CaDadocholy Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 336 of 1859 · P.L. 336 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  92. Supplement to an act regulating Banks.

    Act 338 of 1859 · P.L. 338 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  93. Supplementary to the act iucorporatingthe Eric and Waterlbrd Plank Road Company.

    Act 339 of 1859 · P.L. 339 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  94. To bettor prevent the Destruction of Partridges in certain counties of thle Commonwealth.,

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 341 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  95. Supplement to an act passed twenty-eighth of Fehruary, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine, incorporating the Royersford Bridge Company, and several supplements thereto.

    Act 343 of 1859 · P.L. 342 · March 31, 1859 · Scanned page

  96. A N A C T. ' AuthoriziaK a change of the name, style and title of the Allegheny aod Bald Eagle Railroad, Coal and Iron Company, in Centre county.

    Act 345 of 1859 · P.L. 344 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  97. To change the name of Washington Carroll Tevis.

    Act 346 of 1859 · P.L. 345 · 1859 · Scanned page

  98. Supplement to an act to incorporate the "Western Transportation Company, approved March fifteenth, one thousand eight hundred and lifty-six.

    Act 347 of 1859 · P.L. 345 · April 2, 1859 · Scanned page

  99. Extending the provisions of the act of Assembly to encourage Manufacturing Oiioiatioiis in tliis Commonwealth, apjiroved the seventh day of April, one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, to the Manufacturing of Oils from mineral coal, within the county of Beaver.

    Act 319 of 1859 · P.L. 347 · April 2, 1859 · Scanned page

  100. To establish a Perry over the Allegheny river, at or near the place where the road from John Bish's, in Franklin township, crosses said river, to the Olean road, in Valley township, in Armstrong county.

    Act 350 of 1859 · P.L. 347 · April 2, 1859 · Scanned page

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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.