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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

5,365 laws of the 1870s

Constitution of 1838

  1. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act appointing commissioners to lay out a state road from the village of Shoustown, Allegheny county, to Bock's old mill, in Beaver county," approved April ninth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 366 of 1871 · P.L. 398 · March 15, 1871 · Scanned page

  2. To incorporate the Lancaster and Fruitville Turnpike Road Company.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 399 · March 15, 1871 · Scanned page

  3. Extending to Washington county the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act to provide for the enlargement of burial grounds and cemeteries in the county of Huntingdon," approved April twelfth, one thouaand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 368 of 1871 · P.L. 400 · March 15, 1871 · Scanned page

  4. Supplementing the charter of the Nation's Bank for Savings of Allegheny.

    Act 369 of 1871 · P.L. 400 · March 15, 1871 · Scanned page

  5. To regulate the fees for taking paupers to the poor house in the county of Greene.

    Act 370 of 1871 · P.L. 404 · March 15, 1871 · Scanned page

  6. To enable George W. Painter, late collector of taxes for Canoe township, Indiana county, to make return of unseated and seated lands in said township.

    Act 371 of 1871 · P.L. 405 · March 15, 1871 · Scanned page

  7. To incorporate the South- West Pennsylvania Railway Company.

    Act 372 of 1871 · P.L. 405 · March 16, 1871 · Scanned page

  8. To incorporate the Bear Creek Improyement Company.

    Act 373 of 1871 · P.L. 407 · March 15, 1871 · Scanned page

  9. Relating to duties of register in and for the county of Cumberland.

    Act 374 of 1871 · P.L. 408 · March 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  10. Amending and construing an act to incorporate the Co-operative Association of Weatherly.

    Act 375 of 1871 · P.L. 409 · March 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  11. For the appointment of borough auditors in Kittanning borough, in Armstrong county.

    Act 376 of 1871 · P.L. 410 · March 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  12. How lands returned prior to passage of former act to be advertised and sold. gi Supplement To an act relating to the sale of seated lands in the county of Pike, approved the twelfth day of February', Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 378 of 1871 · P.L. 412 · March 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  13. Supplement to an act relative to the sale of vinous and spirituous liquors by the lessee or lessees of the restaurant rooms of the Loeser building, in the borough of Pottsville.

    Act 379 of 1871 · P.L. 414 · March 16, 1871 · Scanned page

  14. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Lehigh and Eastern Railway Company, approved the tenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, fixing the time for the annual election of president and directors of said company, and extending the time for the construction of their road.

    Act 380 of 1871 · P.L. 414 · March 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  15. To authorize the commissioners of Huntingdon county to pay to the supervisors of Shirley and Tell townships one thousand dollars to make a certain road.

    Act 381 of 1871 · P.L. 415 · March 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  16. Supplemental to an act to incorporate the Montrose Railway Company, approved the fifteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixtj^-nine, reducing the capital stock, extending the time for the commencement of said road, and legalizing the acts of the commissioners.

    Act 382 of 1871 · P.L. 416 · March 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  17. To incorporate the West Branch Musquito Creek Improvement Company, in the county of Clearfield.

    Act 383 of 1871 · P.L. 416 · March 16, 1871 · Scanned page

  18. To incorporate the Watsontown Improvement Company.

    Act 384 of 1871 · P.L. 419 · March 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  19. For the relief of James S. Wharton, of Philadelphia, a soldier of the war of one thousand eight hundred twelve.

    Act 385 of 1871 · P.L. 420 · 1871 · Scanned page

  20. Supplement to an act relating to the consolidation of the Warren and Franklirj, the Farmers' and the Oil Creek railroad companies iuto a ue^v corporation, to be known as the Oil Creek and Allegheny Fdver Railway Company, approved AjDril third, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, authorizing the said last named company to reduce its minimum price for the transportation of oil. Sectiox 1.

    Act 386 of 1871 · P.L. 421 · March 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  21. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to provide for opening and extending Cemetery avenue, in the Twenty-seventh ward of the city of Philadelphia, and vacating part of a certain state road adjacent thereto," approved the twenty-sixth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 387 of 1871 · P.L. 421 · 1871 · Scanned page

  22. Relative to the parade ground in the Twenty-sixth ward of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 388 of 1871 · P.L. 422 · March 18, 1871 · Scanned page

  23. Repealing an act, entitled "An Act relating to roads and bridges in the counties of M'Kean, Bedford and Venango, approved the ninth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy'," so far as Bedford and Venango counties are concerned.

    Act 389 of 1871 · P.L. 423 · March 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  24. To incorporate the Pittston Trust Company anu Savings Bank.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 424 · March 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  25. To incorporate the Plymouth Savings Bank.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 428 · March 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  26. To incorporate the City Bank of

    Act 392 of 1871 · P.L. 432 · March 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  27. Authorizing the authorities of the city of Philadelphia to designate certain streets to market purposes, for farmers to sell their produce.

    Act 393 of 1871 · P.L. 434 · March 21, 1871 · Scanned page

  28. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act relating to the prison of the county of Delaware,'approved the eleventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 394 of 1871 · P.L. 435 · 1871 · Scanned page

  29. Further rights, powers, &c. Change of name, &c. ]So. 395. To incorporate the Overland Contract Company, and to define the powers thereof.

    Act 395 of 1871 · P.L. 438 · March 22, 1871 · Scanned page

  30. To incorporate the American Improvement Company, and to define the powers thereof.

    Act 396 of 1871 · P.L. 439 · 1871 · Scanned page

  31. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to erect Xorristown, in Montgomery countj', into a borough, conferring additional powers.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 440 · March 23, 1871 · Scanned page

  32. Supplement to an act to lay out a state road in the cit}of Philadelphia and the county of Bucks.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 440 · March 23, 1871 · Scanned page

  33. To incorporate the Blooming Grove Park Association.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 441 · March 23, 1871 · Scanned page

  34. Supplement To the act incorporating the Middle Creek Railroad Company, approved March twenty-third, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixtj--five, and the supplement thereto, changing the name thereof to theSunbury and Lewistown Railroad Companj-, approved seventeenth February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventh'.

    Act 400 of 1871 · P.L. 448 · March 23, 1871 · Scanned page

  35. To enable the governor to issue a commision to William W. Jackson, aa a justice of the peace for Gaysport borough, Blair

    Act 401 of 1871 · P.L. 449 · March 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  36. Extending the provisions of an act relating to coroners and coroner's fees in the county of Westmoreland.

    Act 402 of 1871 · P.L. 449 · March 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  37. Relating to roads in Morris township and Independence township, in Washiup;ton county.

    Act 403 of 1871 · P.L. 450 · March 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  38. Supplement to an act incorporating Schuylkill County Agricultural Society.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 451 · March 25, 1871 · Scanned page

  39. To authorize the Western Pennsylvania Kailroad Company to sell and convey its railroad and appurtenances, property, real and personal, corporate right and franchises to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and to authorize the Pennsylvania Railroad Company to purchase the same, and to issue additional shares of its capital stock for that purpose.

    Act 404 of 1871 · P.L. 451 · March 25, 1871 · Scanned page

  40. To incorporate the Home for Aged Protestant Women.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 452 · March 25, 1871 · Scanned page

  41. Authorizing the Odd Fellows and Masonic Building Association of Wayuesburg, Greene county, to borrow money.

    Act 407 of 1871 · P.L. 454 · March 25, 1871 · Scanned page

  42. To prevent the destruction of fish in Brandywine creek and its tributaries, in the counties of Chester and Delaware, and in the river Schuylkill, in Chester and Montgomery county.

    Act 409 of 1871 · P.L. 456 · March 25, 1871 · Scanned page

  43. To incorporate the Big Spring Turnpike Koad Company.

    Act 410 of 1871 · P.L. 457 · March 25, 1871 · Scanned page

  44. To aonul the marriage contract between Enoch Fowler and Mary Magdaline, his wife.

    Act 411 of 1871 · P.L. 459 · 1871 · Scanned page

  45. To make legal and valid the capital stock of the Ligonier Valley Railroad Company, although five dollars were not paid at the time the subscription was made.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 460 · March 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  46. To repeal an act, entitled "An Act to annex the farms of Nelson Pilgrim and John Lee, of Eaton township, to the township of Xorthmoreland, Wyoming countj', for school purposes," approved the fourth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, so far as said act relates to the farm of John Lee.

    Act 415 of 1871 · P.L. 461 · March 29, 1871 · Scanned page

  47. To incorporate the Pittsburg Steel Casting Company.

    Act 416 of 1871 · P.L. 462 · March 29, 1871 · Scanned page

  48. To incorporate the Ruby Silver Mining Company of Colorado,

    Act 417 of 1871 · P.L. 463 · 1871 · Scanned page

  49. Suppletnental to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Cowanesque Valley railroad," approved the ninth day of April, AnuoDooiini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 418 of 1871 · P.L. 465 · March 29, 1871 · Scanned page

  50. Supplementary to an act to incorporate the Pittsburg, Allegheny and Manchester Passenger Railway Company, approved the twelfth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.

    Act 419 of 1871 · P.L. 465 · March 29, 1871 · Scanned page

  51. To incorporate the Berks County Railroad Company.

    Act 420 of 1871 · P.L. 466 · March 29, 1871 · Scanned page

  52. Authorizing and empowering the Rock Presbyterian Church, in Cecil county, and state of Maryland, to hold, occupy and convey a certain tract of land in Chester county and state of Pennsylvania.

    Act 421 of 1871 · P.L. 468 · March 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  53. To incorporate the People's Bank of Berks county.

    Act 422 of 1871 · P.L. 469 · March 30, 1871 · Scanned page

  54. To authorize the auditor general to examine the claim of William B.

    Act 423 of 1871 · P.L. 471 · April 6, 1871 · Scanned page

  55. Kelating to the fees, salaries and duties of certain county officer.s in Allegheny county.

    Act 425 of 1871 · P.L. 476 · April 6, 1871 · Scanned page

  56. Supplement to an act to incorporate the AUentown Iron Company, approved April twelfth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, repealing so much of the thirteenth section of said act as limits the charter of said company to the term of twenty years.

    Act 426 of 1871 · P.L. 483 · April 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  57. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Wilkesbarre and Pittston Railroad Company, approved April fifteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, authorizing the said company (now the Danville, Hazleton and Wilkesbarre Railroad Company) to extend their road to Hazleton, and make connections with other roads.

    Act 427 of 1871 · P.L. 484 · April 12, 1871 · Scanned page

  58. Supplement To an act to incorporate the Lewisburg, Centre and Spruce Creek Railroad Company, approved April twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, authorizing the issuing of bonds and securing the same by mortgage, giving authority to increase the capital stock, the number of directors to constitute a quorum, and authorizing the extension of the railroad to Danville, in county of Montour.

    Act 428 of 1871 · P.L. 484 · April 15, 1871 · Scanned page

  59. To incorporate the Newtown Banking Company.

    Act 429 of 1871 · P.L. 485 · April 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  60. To authorize the school directors of Peebles sub-district, Twentythird ward, city of Pittsburg, to borrow money and sell real estate.

    Act 430 of 1871 · P.L. 487 · April 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  61. 488 LAWS OP PENNSYLVANIA, Preamble. Trustees of academy authorized to convey lots to school district. •ubject to. May execute mortgage upcm premises. How money arising from mortgage to be expended. Directors may sell lots on ■which seliool hou.ses stand. Xo. 431. To establish graded schools in Clearfield.

    Act 431 of 1871 · P.L. 488 · April 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  62. To legalize the commission and acts of J. W. Yocum, as notary public at Columbia, Lancaster county.

    Act 432 of 1871 · P.L. 490 · April 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  63. To vacate part of Township Line road, in the Twenty-eighth ward, city of Philadelphia.

    Act 433 of 1871 · P.L. 491 · April 21, 1871 · Scanned page

  64. To repeal the supplement, approved April seventh. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy, to the act, entitled "An Act. relating to executions," approved June sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, so far as the same relates to the Muncy Creek Railway Company.

    Act 434 of 1871 · P.L. 491 · 1871 · Scanned page

  65. Extending the Penn township road lavr, in tlie county of Allegheny, to Indiana and Wilkins townships, in said county.

    Act 437 of 1871 · P.L. 495 · April 27, 1871 · Scanned page

  66. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act incorporating the Bald Eagle, Nittany and Brush Valley Turnpike Company," passed the fourteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.

    Act 438 of 1871 · P.L. 495 · April 27, 1871 · Scanned page

  67. To incorporate the Fifth Avenue Bridge Company.

    Act 439 of 1871 · P.L. 496 · April 27, 1871 · Scanned page

  68. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to authorize the governor to incorporate the Pittsburg Bridge Company," approved the sixth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, changing the name and enlarging the corporate powers of said company.

    Act 440 of 1871 · P.L. 499 · April 27, 1871 · Scanned page

  69. To exempt the real estate owned by the Catholic Home for Destitute Children from taxation, except for state purposes.

    Act 441 of 1871 · P.L. 501 · April 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  70. Supplement to an act relative to vagrants and disorderly persons, et cetera, in the city of Lancaster, in the county of Lancaster,

    Act 442 of 1871 · P.L. 501 · April 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  71. Amending the charter of the Ilarrisburg District Camp Meeting Association of Landisville, Lancaster county.

    Act 443 of 1871 · P.L. 502 · April 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  72. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the People's Railway Company," approved the fourth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

    Act 445 of 1871 · P.L. 503 · April 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  73. the town council of the borough of Beaver Falls, Bearer count}', to provide for the paving and grading the streets of said borough.

    Act 447 of 1871 · P.L. 506 · April 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  74. To enable the borough of New Brighton to establish water works.

    Act 449 of 1871 · P.L. 507 · 1871 · Scanned page

  75. To authorize the Knap Fort Pitt Foundry Company, of the city of Pittsburg, to test cannon and other ordnance at their proving ground in Patton township, in the countyof Allegheny.

    Act 450 of 1871 · P.L. 508 · April 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  76. To incorporate the American Press Association.

    Act 4 of 1871 · P.L. 509 · 1871 · Scanned page

  77. In reference to fire and fire companies in ttie borough of New Brighton.

    Act 452 of 1871 · P.L. 511 · May 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  78. Relative to loan of the board of school directors of the common school district of the city of Harrisburg, and for other purposes.

    Act 453 of 1871 · P.L. 511 · May 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  79. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Spring Brook Horse Railway Company," approved April third, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 454 of 1871 · P.L. 513 · May 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  80. To amend an act, entitled "An Act incorporating the Ligonier and Latrobe Railroad Company, approved the fifteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three," lo change the name, commission and terminus.

    Act 455 of 1871 · P.L. 514 · 1871 · Scanned page

  81. Opening Brandywine street, between Fifteenth and Broad, in the city of Philadelphia, and Kicetown lane, and providing for the grading, curbing and paving the same.

    Act 456 of 1871 · P.L. 514 · May 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  82. To authorize the Second Presbyterian church of Carlisle to extend the buttresses of their church two feet on the side-walk of Pomfret street.

    Act 457 of 1871 · P.L. 515 · May 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  83. Supplementary to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Atlantic and Ohio Telegraph Company," approved March twenty-fourth, one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, and to confirm certain agreements executed by said company.

    Act 458 of 1871 · P.L. 516 · 1871 · Scanned page

  84. Relating to hawking and peddling and auctions in the county of Clinton.

    Act 459 of 1871 · P.L. 516 · May 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  85. To incorporate the Selinsgrove and North Branch Railroad Company.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 518 · May 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  86. Relative to bonds issued by tlae directors of the Lawrence school subdistrict of the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 460 of 1871 · P.L. 518 · May 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  87. To vacate a portion of North street, in the city of Pittsburg.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 520 · 1871 · Scanned page

  88. To incorporate the Mount Joy and Manheim Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 463 of 1871 · P.L. 520 · 1871 · Scanned page

  89. To allow the voters of the Twenty-second ward of the city of Philadelphia to vote on the question of granting license to sell intoxicating liquors.

    Act 464 of 1871 · P.L. 522 · May 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  90. To incorporate the Saint Gregory's College.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 523 · May 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  91. Relative to water pipe, sewerage, paving streets and assessments in the city of Harrisburg.

    Act 467 of 1871 · P.L. 525 · May 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  92. To repeal an act, entitled "An Act to legalize the incorporation of the West Greenville Academy, and the election of officers for said corpox'ation," approved the third of March, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 468 of 1871 · P.L. 527 · May 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  93. To incorporate the Loan Bank of Pittsburg.

    Act 469 of 1871 · P.L. 528 · May 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  94. In relation to a change of venue in the case of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania vs. Henry Ward, from the courts of Bradford county.

    Act 471 of 1871 · P.L. 531 · May 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  95. To incorporate the Iron Bank of

    Act 472 of 1871 · P.L. 533 · May 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  96. To incorporate the Renovo Industrial Co-operative Association, number one, in the borough of Renovo, Clinton county, for mercantile purposes.

    Act 473 of 1871 · P.L. 536 · May 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  97. To regulate the taking of game in the townships of Little Beaver and North Beaver, in the county of Lawrence.

    Act 474 of 1871 · P.L. 537 · 1871 · Scanned page

  98. Supplement To an aft, entltlod "An Act to incorporate the Chartiersand Robinson Township Turnpike Road Company," approved the nineteenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 475 of 1871 · P.L. 538 · May 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  99. To incorporate the ciiy of Wilkesbarre.

    Act 476 of 1871 · P.L. 539 · May 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  100. For the protection of sheep in the county of Lawrence.

    Act 477 of 1871 · P.L. 550 · May 4, 1871 · 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.