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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

7,883 laws of the 1860s

Constitution of 1838

  1. To legalize the bonds, issued by tlie board of election officers of Ayr townahip, in the county of Fulton, for the payment of bounties to volunteers and drafted men, under the calls of the President of the United States, prior to the nineteenth of December, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.

    Act 764 of 1865 · P.L. 772 · March 24, 1865 · Scanned page

  2. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Aladdin Oil Company, approved the first d<iy of May, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.

    Act 765 of 1865 · P.L. 772 · March 24, 1865 · Scanned page

  3. Increasing the pay and fees of the several officers, in Venango county.

    Act 766 of 1865 · P.L. 773 · March 24, 1865 · Scanned page

  4. Authorizing the appointment of additional notaries public, for the counties of Indiana, Fayette, Dauphin, Butler, Susquehanna, Cambria, Allegheny, and the city of Philadelphia

    Act 767 of 1865 · P.L. 774 · March 24, 1865 · Scanned page

  5. To establish a ferry over the West Branch of the SusqaeLanna river, at Williamsport, Lycoming county.

    Act 768 of 1865 · P.L. 775 · March 24, 1865 · Scanned page

  6. To annul the marriage contract, between William Roberts and Emily Roberts.

    Act 769 of 1865 · P.L. 776 · March 24, 1865 · Scanned page

  7. To vacate so much of Amber street, Tulip street, and Lemon street, now Memphis street, in the Twenty-fifth ward of the city of Philadelphia, as lies between the north side of Lehigh avenue and the south side of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad.

    Act 770 of 1865 · P.L. 777 · March 25, 1865 · Scanned page

  8. For the better and more impartial selection of persons to serve as jurors, in tlie several courts of Somerset, Bedford, Falton, Westmoreland, Perry, Juniata counties.

    Act of 1865 · P.L. 779 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  9. Relating to the will of James Crawford, deceased, late of Allegheny county.

    Act of 1865 · P.L. 781 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  10. Authorizing the Union Canal Company of Pennsylvania to sell certain real and personal estate.

    Act of 1865 · P.L. 782 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  11. Authorizing the governor to appoint an additional justice of the peaoe and constable, for the town.ship of Cornplanter, in the county of Veluingo, to be located at Rouaeville, in said county.

    Act 776 of 1865 · P.L. 785 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  12. Supplement to an act to promote the more certain and equal assessment of taxes, in Philadelphia, approved the fourt-^enth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

    Act 777 of 1865 · P.L. 786 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  13. To authorize the trustees of the First Presbyterian church, of the borough of West Chester, to sell and convey certain real estate, heretofore used as a burial ground.

    Act 778 of 1865 · P.L. 786 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  14. To enable the executors and trustees of Henry J. Biddle, deceased, and others, to convey certain interests in coal lands, in Mahanoy township, Schuylkill county.

    Act 780 of 1865 · P.L. 788 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  15. To tbe act to incorporate the city of Philadelphia, authorizing the construction of sewers, or drains.

    Act 781 of 1865 · P.L. 791 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  16. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Elk County Improvement and Mining Company.

    Act 784 of 1865 · P.L. 794 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  17. Anthorizing the appointment of interpreters of foreign languages, in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 786 of 1865 · P.L. 795 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  18. Relative to turnpike and plank roads, transferred to the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 788 of 1865 · P.L. 797 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  19. To legalize and make valid the acts of a justice of the peace, in the county of Luzerne.

    Act 789 of 1865 · P.L. 797 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  20. Supplement to the act passed April twentieth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, entitled "An Act establishing a mode of selecting and drawing jurors, in and for the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 791 of 1865 · P.L. 799 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  21. Commissioners authorized to purchase lot of groand, and erect thereon building for county jail. Old jail and lot to be sold. Kotice to be given. Terms and conditions of sale, relative to. May borrow money and issue bonds therefor. Commissioners to take charge 0(f, and impro ^e, the public s^are. To authorize the commissioners of Luzerne county to build a new countj jail, and perform other acts.

    Act 792 of 1865 · P.L. 800 · March 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  22. For the relief of Williffm Frishmuth, a commisaioued colonel of the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry.

    Act 793 of 1865 · P.L. 801 · March 28, 1865 · Scanned page

  23. To incorporate the National Railroad and Transportatioa Company.

    Act 794 of 1865 · P.L. 802 · March 28, 1865 · Scanned page

  24. To authorize the Frankford Oil Company, a corporation organized nnder the act, approved July eighteenth, one thousand eight hundred and gixtythree, entitled "An Act relating to mechanical, manufacturing, mining and quarrying purposes," to issue new stock.

    Act 795 of 1865 · P.L. 804 · March 29, 1865 · Scanned page

  25. To incorporate the Juniata Iron and Steel Company.

    Act 797 of 1865 · P.L. 805 · March 30, 1865 · Scanned page

  26. To incorporate the Church Extension Society of the Methodist Episcopal church, of the United States of America.

    Act 798 of 1865 · P.L. 807 · March 30, 1865 · Scanned page

  27. Supplement to the act incorporating the Local Telegraph Company, the name of which was changed to the Bankers' and Brokers' Telegraph Company, authorizing them to extend their lines, and to connect with, and purohase, other telegraph lines.

    Act 799 of 1865 · P.L. 811 · March 30, 1865 · Scanned page

  28. Certain persons tnbstituted as •orporatora. Two vice presi- <^ents to be elected. Quorum of corporators. Title. Capital etock, relative to. Rat* of interest. Surplus earnings maj be di- Tided, or created into stock. Corporators, qualification of. To an act establishing the Dime Savings Institution of Pittsburg, approved April eleventh, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty two.

    Act 800 of 1865 · P.L. 812 · April 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  29. To incorporate the People's Railway Company.

    Act 802 of 1865 · P.L. 815 · April 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  30. To incorporate the Broad Street and Island Road Company.

    Act 803 of 1865 · P.L. 816 · April 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  31. Relating to the House of Refuge of Western Pennsylvania.

    Act 806 of 1865 · P.L. 819 · April 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  32. To vacate a part of Buist lane, in the Twenty-fourth ward of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 807 of 1865 · P.L. 820 · April 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  33. To authorize the removal of suits, between certain corporations, to the court of nisi prius, and the trial thereof, in the said court.

    Act 808 of 1865 · P.L. 821 · April 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  34. Supplement to an act, appioved the twenty-sixth day of Mircli, one thousand eight hundred and forty-six, entitled "An Act tu incorporate the Susquehanna Boom Company.

    Act 809 of 1865 · P.L. 822 · April 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  35. To incorporate the North-Western Pennsylvania Mining Company.

    Act 810 of 1865 · P.L. 822 · April 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  36. To enable the councils of the city of Philadelphia to comply with an act of assembly, approved April thirteenth, one thousand eight hundred and forty

    Act 811 of 1865 · P.L. 823 · April 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  37. Authorizing the payment of Josiah R. Dunbar, brigade inspector of the Fifteenth division, Pennsylvania militia.

    Act 812 of 1865 · P.L. 824 · April 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  38. To vacate the easternmost nineteen feet, in width, of a certain road, or street, in the Twenty-fourth ward, Philadelphia.

    Act 813 of 1865 · P.L. 825 · April 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  39. Vacating a portion of the Ford road, in the city of Philadelphia, and Montgomery county.

    Act 814 of 1865 · P.L. 826 · April 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  40. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Insurance Company of the State of Penn- Bylvania.

    Act 815 of 1865 · P.L. 827 · April 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  41. To incorporate the Salem Coal Company.

    Act of 1865 · P.L. 829 · April 18, 1865 · Scanned page

  42. To change the location of the county seat of Snyder county, and to provide for the erection of new county buildings.

    Act 820 of 1865 · P.L. 832 · April 22, 1865 · Scanned page

  43. To incorporate the Nippenose Manufacturing Company, in Lycoming ^ county.

    Act 821 of 1865 · P.L. 833 · April 26, 1865 · Scanned page

  44. establish a ferry over the Ohio and Monongahela riirers, in Allegheny county.

    Act 822 of 1865 · P.L. 835 · April 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  45. Grranting a pension to John L. Miller, Erie county.

    Act 824 of 1865 · P.L. 837 · April 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  46. Granting a pension to Jacob Sanders, Joseph Shillen and Jacob Keefei, c€ Adams county, and oihor soldiers, and the widow of a soldier, of ih% war of eighteen hundred and twelve.

    Act 825 of 1865 · P.L. 838 · April 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  47. For the relief of Alexander Lithco, of Lancaster county, and other soldiers, and the widow of a soldier, of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

    Act 827 of 1865 · P.L. 839 · 1865 · Scanned page

  48. Granting a pension to Hugh Baker, of Clarion county.

    Act 828 of 1865 · P.L. 840 · April 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  49. Relative to tlie trust estate of D. F. Wallace, and others.

    Act 829 of 1865 · P.L. 841 · May 3, 1865 · Scanned page

  50. To regulate proceedings, in the courts of common pleas and quarter »etsions of Allegheny county.

    Act 831 of 1865 · P.L. 842 · May 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  51. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Eagle Cotton Factory, approved May second, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty four.

    Act 832 of 1865 · P.L. 843 · May 5, 1865 · Scanned page

  52. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Lombard and South Street Railway Company," passed May sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, to authorize said company to extend said road, and to create a ferry, across the river Schuylkill, at South street.

    Act 834 of 1865 · P.L. 844 · May 18, 1865 · Scanned page

  53. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Mount Carbon and Port Carbon Railroad Company, and for other purposes," passed the sixteenth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and forty-two.

    Act 835 of 1865 · P.L. 845 · May 20, 1865 · Scanned page

  54. To entitle the stockholders of any railroad company, incorporated by tKw •ommonwealth, accepting this act, to one vote for each share of stock.

    Act 837 of 1865 · P.L. 847 · June 2, 1865 · Scanned page

  55. Relating to the nse of tunnels and bridges by railroad companies.

    Act 839 of 1865 · P.L. 849 · June 21, 1865 · Scanned page

  56. Authorizing the purchase, by railroad companies, of branch, or oonoseSing, roada.

    Act 841 of 1865 · P.L. 852 · June 21, 1865 · Scanned page

  57. Authorizing the We.=tern Transportation Company to purchase the atotk and lauds of any railroad comj any, and to lease railroads.

    Act 842 of 1865 · P.L. 852 · June 21, 1865 · Scanned page

  58. Authorizing the Central Transportation Companv, a corporation created under the general laws of Pennsylvania, to increase its capital.

    Act 843 of 1865 · P.L. 853 · March 22, 1865 · Scanned page

  59. To incorporate the Lehigh Rolling Mill Company, under the provisions of the charter of the Allentown Iron Company, and its supplements, and increasing its capital stock.

    Act 845 of 1865 · P.L. 855 · March 23, 1865 · Scanned page

  60. Supplement to an act for the regulation of the militia of this commonwealth, providing for the organization of a Reserve Brigade, in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 846 of 1865 · P.L. 856 · June 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  61. Providing for a free bridge, over the river Schuylkill and canal, at Manayunk.

    Act 847 of 1865 · P.L. 857 · June 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  62. Relative to the re-payment, by the United States, of certain moneys, advanced by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to pay the volunteer militia of eighteen hundred and sixty-three.

    Act 4 of 1865 · P.L. 861 · February 3, 1865 · Scanned page

  63. Relative to the pay of witnesses, in contested election cases.

    Act 5 of 1865 · P.L. 861 · February 3, 1865 · Scanned page

  64. To provide for compensation to Charles Wilson, a returned member of the House of Representatives, from the district composed of the connties of Lycoming, Union and Snjder.

    Act 6 of 1865 · P.L. 862 · February 9, 1865 · Scanned page

  65. Authorizing the Auditor General to issue warrants, for the payment of military claims, due officers of the volunteer service, settled by the board of military claims, for services rendered, prior to the date of their commissions.

    Act 7 of 1865 · P.L. 863 · February 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  66. Explanatory of so much of the eighth section of the act of twenty -tftnrti August, one thousand eight hundred and sixty four, as appropriate* the sum of five thousand dollars for payment of regimental Hags.

    Act 9 of 1865 · P.L. 864 · February 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  67. 868 LAWS OF pe:n'nsylvania. No. 14 ^m\ |>C!J5oluttau Of request, to the Secretary of War, to secure the release of certain unarmed citizens of this commonweAlth, from rebel imprisonment.

    Act of 1865 · P.L. 868 · March 23, 1865 · Scanned page

  68. To iiKorporate tbe North Americau Transit Insurance Company.

    Act of 1865 · P.L. 869 · March 30, 1865 · Scanned page

  69. To incorporate the Harrisburg City Passenger Railroad Company.

    Act 849 of 1865 · P.L. 871 · March 19, 1865 · Scanned page

  70. To annul the marriage contract between Henry Neelis and Annie Neelis, his wife.

    Act 851 of 1865 · P.L. 875 · March 19, 1865 · Scanned page

  71. To extend the charter of the Exchange Bank of Pittsburg.

    Act 853 of 1865 · P.L. 876 · January 6, 1865 · Scanned page

  72. To extend the charter of the Lancaster County Bank.

    Act 854 of 1865 · P.L. 877 · January 6, 1865 · Scanned page

  73. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Monongahela Water Company, approved the twentj-first day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fiftyfive.

    Act 855 of 1865 · P.L. 878 · March 17, 1865 · Scanned page

  74. To incorporate Oak Hill Cemetery Association, of Millersburg, in the county of Dauphin.

    Act 856 of 1865 · P.L. 879 · April 8, 1865 · Scanned page

  75. To authorize the English Evangelical Lutheran congregation of the borough of Johnstown, in the county of Cambria, t» sell certain real estate.

    Act 858 of 1865 · P.L. 882 · April 9, 1865 · Scanned page

  76. To incorporate the Manchester Water Company, of Allegheny county.

    Act 859 of 1865 · P.L. 883 · April 12, 1865 · Scanned page

  77. Supplement to an act to incorporate the M'Kean and Elk Land and Improvement Company, approved February sixth, one thousand eight hundred and fiftysis.

    Act 861 of 1865 · P.L. 891 · April 14, 1865 · Scanned page

  78. To change the par valne of the stock of the West Branch and Susqnehanna Canal Company.

    Act of 1865 · P.L. 892 · April 18, 1865 · Scanned page

  79. To incorporate the Manor Railroad Company.

    Act 864 of 1865 · P.L. 894 · April 20, 1865 · Scanned page

  80. To incorporate the Washington Gold Mining Company of Pennsylvania.

    Act 867 of 1865 · P.L. 898 · April 23, 1865 · Scanned page

  81. To charter the M'Kee's Rocks Ferry Company of Allegheny county.

    Act 868 of 1865 · P.L. 899 · April 23, 1865 · Scanned page

  82. To incorporate the Indiana and Westmoreland Gas Coal Company.

    Act 869 of 1865 · P.L. 900 · April 27, 1865 · Scanned page

  83. To authorize the building committee of a New School Presbyterian church, in Unity township, Westmoreland county, to sell and convey certain real estate.

    Act 870 of 1865 · P.L. 902 · April 28, 1865 · Scanned page

  84. To incorporate the Karthaus Iron, Coal and Railroad Company.

    Act 873 of 1865 · P.L. 905 · April 29, 1865 · Scanned page

  85. To extend the charter of the North Branch Coal and Iron Company, and to enable it to increase its capital stock, and to issue and secure bonds.

    Act 874 of 1865 · P.L. 908 · May 3, 1865 · Scanned page

  86. To authorize a sale of certain real estate, in the city of Philadelphia, late the property of Martha Ann Buckingham, and a re-investment of the proceeds thereof, in the state of New Jersey.

    Act 875 of 1865 · P.L. 909 · May 3, 1865 · Scanned page

  87. For the incorporation of the Prospect Cemetery.

    Act 877 of 1865 · P.L. 911 · May 3, 1865 · Scanned page

  88. To incorporate the Waynesburg and Monongah.ela River Railroad

    Act 879 of 1865 · P.L. 915 · May 3, 1865 · Scanned page

  89. To incorporate the Miller sburg and Rausli Gap Railroad Company.

    Act 882 of 1865 · P.L. 920 · May 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  90. Supplement to an act for incorporating the German Lutheran Congregation, in and near the borough of Lancaster, in the State of Pennsylvania, enacted March fifth. Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and eightyseven.

    Act 883 of 1865 · P.L. 922 · May 4, 1865 · Scanned page

  91. Relating to the burial ground of the First Baptist Church and Congregation of Pittsburg.

    Act 884 of 1865 · P.L. 922 · May 5, 1865 · Scanned page

  92. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Luzerne Coal Transportation Company.

    Act 886 of 1865 · P.L. 927 · May 20, 1865 · Scanned page

  93. To incorporate tlie White Deer Improvement Company.

    Act 888 of 1865 · P.L. 929 · May 21, 1865 · Scanned page

  94. To incorporate the Central Pennsylvania Telegraph Company.

    Act 889 of 1865 · P.L. 931 · May 21, 1865 · Scanned page

  95. To incorporate the El Dorado Mining Company.

    Act 891 of 1865 · P.L. 933 · May 21, 1865 · Scanned page

  96. To incorporate the Union Antiseptic Company of Philadelphia. Seci'ION 1.

    Act 893 of 1865 · P.L. 935 · June 7, 1865 · Scanned page

  97. To incorporate the Schuylkill Valley Iron Company.

    Act 895 of 1865 · P.L. 938 · June 18, 1865 · Scanned page

  98. To extend and renew tlie charter of the Farm«-5' and Drovers' Bank of Wajnefcburg.

    Act of 1865 · P.L. 943 · June 18, 1865 · Scanned page

  99. To extend the charter of the Bank of Pittsburg.

    Act 898 of 1865 · P.L. 943 · June 18, 1865 · Scanned page

  100. For the relief of Charles Hughes, a citiEen of Blair county.

    Act 900 of 1865 · P.L. 945 · August 10, 1865 · 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.