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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. Relative to licenses on vehicles in the borough of Allentown, in the county of Allegheny.

    Act 583 of 1871 · P.L. 654 · 1871 · Scanned page

  2. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Bald Eagle Boom Company, in Clinton county," approved on the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, authorizing an increase of boomage.

    Act 584 of 1871 · P.L. 654 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  3. Relative to grading, paving, curbing and otherwise improving Troy Hill road, in the city of Allegheny.

    Act 585 of 1871 · P.L. 655 · 1871 · Scanned page

  4. In relation to school tax in South-West township, Warren county.

    Act 586 of 1871 · P.L. 656 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  5. Authorizing the burgess and town council of the borough of Stroudsburg to borrow money.

    Act 587 of 1871 · P.L. 657 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  6. Substituting the name of Thomas J. Bell, Esq., of the township of East Finley, in the county of Washington, in the place of that of James M'Neil, as commissioner to carry into effect certain road laws within the said township.

    Act 588 of 1871 · P.L. 657 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  7. In gKt Kelating to fox squirrels, grey squirrels and rabbits in Westmoreland county.

    Act 589 of 1871 · P.L. 658 · 1871 · Scanned page

  8. To repeal the sixth section of an act, entitled "An Act for the protection of wild turkeys and squirrels, and for other purposes, in the county of Huntingdon," approved the eighth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven^ so far as the same relates to the county of Fulton.

    Act 590 of 1871 · P.L. 659 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  9. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act relating to the collection of state and oounty taxes in the county of Montgomery," approved the seventeenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.

    Act 591 of 1871 · P.L. 659 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  10. Supplement to an act incorporating the city of Carbondale.

    Act 592 of 1871 · P.L. 661 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  11. Supplement to an act relating to livery stable keepers in Allegheny, Berks and Westmoreland counties, approved August twenty-third, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, extending the same to Jefferson county.

    Act 593 of 1871 · P.L. 661 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  12. Kepealing the second section authorizing the burgess and town council of the borough of Lebanon to borrow money, for the purpose of paying off the present indebtedness of said borough as consoHdated, ai>proved the twentieth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 594 of 1871 · P.L. 662 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  13. Authorizing the Harrisburg ttas Company to increase its capital stock.

    Act 595 of 1871 · P.L. 662 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  14. To repeal so much of the seventh section of an act, approved April sixth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, entitled "An Act authorizing the reference of civil actions in the county of Bradford," as requires the county to pay the referee.

    Act 596 of 1871 · P.L. 663 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  15. Authorizing the burgess and town council of the borough of St. Clair, in the county of Allegheny, to increase their borough tax for borough purposes.

    Act 597 of 1871 · P.L. 663 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  16. Relating to the building of sewers in the borough of Birmingham, county of Allegheny.

    Act 598 of 1871 · P.L. 664 · 1871 · Scanned page

  17. Extending the provisions of an act relating to mutilating stiow bills in Pliiladelphia and Centre counties, approved April second, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, to the counties of Berks and Montour, Schyulkill, Carbon, Mercer and Huntingdon.

    Act 599 of 1871 · P.L. 665 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  18. Relating to the assessment of taxes in the counties of Schuylkill, Dauphin, Somerset, Indiana and Cambria.

    Act 600 of 1871 · P.L. 665 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  19. Providing for the removal of the dead interred in the Saint Martin's German ICvangelical Lutheran burial ground, in the borough of Sharpsburg, and authorizing the board of trustees to sell the real estate used for such piirposes after said removal.

    Act 601 of 1871 · P.L. 666 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  20. To empower the school directors of Tuscarora and Spruce Ilill townships, in the county of Juniata, to annex certain lands in Spruce Hill township and Tuscarora township, in the county of Juniata, for school purjioses.

    Act 602 of 1871 · P.L. 667 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  21. Defining the line of Spruce street, between Eighth and Ninth streets, in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 603 of 1871 · P.L. 667 · 1871 · Scanned page

  22. To change the provisions of the thirtieth section of an act regulating, boroughs, approved the third of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, so far as the same relates to the borough of Donegal, Westmoreland county.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 669 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  23. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Pittsburg Coal and Mining Company,"' approved the fifth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 606 of 1871 · P.L. 669 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  24. 608. Kelative to and changing the manner of election of town council in the borough of Allentown, in the county of Allegheny.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 671 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  25. Authorizing the borough of Coopersdale, in the county of Cambria, to levy an increased tax for borough purposes.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 671 · 1871 · Scanned page

  26. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to provide for the appointment of a fire marshal for the county of Allegheny," approved the eighteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 672 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  27. To authorize Saint John's English Lutheran church of the city of Allentown to borrow money and secure the same by bond and mortgage.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 673 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  28. Authorizing the governor to commission an auction house in the borough of Sharon, county of Mercer.

    Act 612 of 1871 · P.L. 674 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  29. To increase the compensation of jurors serving in the several courts in the county of Lycoming.

    Act 613 of 1871 · P.L. 675 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  30. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act relative to mechanics' liens in the counties of Westmoreland, Columbia and Elk," extending the provisions of the second section to the county of Bradford.

    Act 614 of 1871 · P.L. 675 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  31. To extend the provisions of an act relating to appeals and transcripts from the judgment of justice of the peace in and for the counties of Centre, Blair, et cetera, to the counties of Chester and Northumberland.

    Act 615 of 1871 · P.L. 676 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  32. To authorize the school directors of the city of Titusville, in the county Crawford, to borrow money.

    Act 616 of 1871 · P.L. 676 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  33. To vacate a portion of Bingham street, in the borough of Birmingham, in the county of Allegheny.

    Act 617 of 1871 · P.L. 677 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  34. To authorize the return and collection of certain taxes in Potter county.

    Act 618 of 1871 · P.L. 677 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  35. To repeal an act, entitled "An Act to prevent hawking and peddling in Crawford and M'Kean counties without a license.

    Act 619 of 1871 · P.L. 678 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  36. To change the mode of criminal proceedings in certain cases in tlie borough of Pleasantville, Venango county.

    Act 620 of 1871 · P.L. 679 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  37. Relating to the registry of lots in the borough of Birmingham, county of Allegheny.

    Act 621 of 1871 · P.L. 680 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  38. To provide for the election of road commissioners in Hickory township, county of Mercer, and for the better regulation of the road law in said township.

    Act 622 of 1871 · P.L. 681 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  39. Supplement to an act incorporating the city of Lock Haven, approved the twentyeighth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 623 of 1871 · P.L. 684 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  40. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to, enable the school directors of the Sixth Avard, in the city of Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny, to borrow money," approved the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 624 of 1871 · P.L. 685 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  41. For the relief of the Lutheran and Reformed confijregations of Ilassinger's church, in Franklin township, Snyder county.

    Act 625 of 1871 · P.L. 686 · 1871 · Scanned page

  42. To enable the school directors of the Eighth ward, in the city of Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny, to borrow money and to sell property for school building purposes.

    Act 626 of 1871 · P.L. 686 · 1871 · Scanned page

  43. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the White Haven Water Company," approved the twenty-seventh day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

    Act 627 of 1871 · P.L. 687 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  44. To confirm the sale of the property of the Short Mountain Coal Company.

    Act 628 of 1871 · P.L. 688 · 1871 · Scanned page

  45. Supplement to an act incorporating the Marietta and Maytown Turnpike Koad Company, approved April fifteenth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.

    Act 629 of 1871 · P.L. 689 · 1871 · Scanned page

  46. To authorize the commissioners of the county of jNfercer to pay bounties to certain named persons who were credited to the said county, upon quotas of the calls of February first and March fourteenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.

    Act 630 of 1871 · P.L. 689 · 1871 · Scanned page

  47. Authorizing the borough of Johnstown, Cambria county, to borrow money, to issue bonds therefor, and to levy and collect an additional tax to pay the same.

    Act 631 of 1871 · P.L. 690 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  48. Authorizing Saint John's English Reformed church of the city of Allentown to borrow money, and secure the same by bond and mortgage.

    Act 632 of 1871 · P.L. 691 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  49. To enforce the payment of poor taxes on unseated land in Snowshoe, Worth, Taylor and Burnside townships, Centre county.

    Act 634 of 1871 · P.L. 693 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  50. To authorize the school directors of the borough of Bellefonte, in the county of Centre, to borrow money for the purpose of paying pre^^ious loans.

    Act 635 of 1871 · P.L. 693 · 1871 · Scanned page

  51. To extend the provisions of an act relating to roads in Uwchlan townshin, Chester county, and East Bethleliemand East Pike Run townships, Washington count3", to the township of Morris, in Greene county.

    Act 636 of 1871 · P.L. 694 · 1871 · Scanned page

  52. To legalize the official acts of Charles A. Stimmel, a justice of the peace in and for the county of Butler.

    Act 637 of 1871 · P.L. 695 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  53. Making valid certain ordinances passed by the council of the borough of Jamestown, in the county of Mercer.

    Act 638 of 1871 · P.L. 695 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  54. To repeal an act authorizing tlie levying anil collection of tax, not exceeding ten mills on the dollar of valuation for general borough purposes, in the borough of Sharon, Mercer county, approved the ninth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixtj'-seven.

    Act 639 of 1871 · P.L. 696 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  55. To repeal the second section of an act, entitled "An Act relative to the jurisdiction of justices of the peace, mayor and burgesses in Erie county, and relative to appeals therefrom," approved April thirteenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, and extended to Venango county by act of twelfth of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, as far as relates to the borough of Pleasantville.

    Act 640 of 1871 · P.L. 697 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  56. To incorporate the Ancient Order of Hibernians, in the state of Pennsylvania.

    Act 641 of 1871 · P.L. 697 · 1871 · Scanned page

  57. In relation to the Odd Fellows' Hall Association of the borough of White Haven, in Luzerne county.

    Act 042 of 1871 · P.L. 698 · 1871 · Scanned page

  58. To authorize the school directors of the borough of Pittston to borrow money.

    Act 643 of 1871 · P.L. 699 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  59. To perpetuate the evidence of certain conveyances in the Bush Hill estate, in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 644 of 1871 · P.L. 699 · 1871 · Scanned page

  60. Authorizing the governor to appoint additional notaries pnblio for the counties of Snyder, Luzerne, Allegheny and Clearfield.

    Act 645 of 1871 · P.L. 701 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  61. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to empower the orphans' court of Adams county to authorize Adam Lerew, trustee of Hiram Albert, to purchase real estate, and also to decree the sale thereof," approved the third day of April, Anno Domini eighteen hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 646 of 1871 · P.L. 701 · 1871 · Scanned page

  62. To incorporate the ^Mountain Spring Ice Company.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 702 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  63. Authorizing the court of quarter sessions of Alleglieny county to vacate certain streets, lanes and alleys.

    Act 048 of 1871 · P.L. 704 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  64. To incorporate the borougli of Yerona, in Allegheny county.

    Act 649 of 1871 · P.L. 705 · 1871 · Scanned page

  65. For the regulation and government of the Northampton county prison.

    Act 650 of 1871 · P.L. 706 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  66. To authorize the school directors of Phoenixville school district to purchase books and stationery for the use of the schools.

    Act 651 of 1871 · P.L. 715 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  67. To repeal an act, entitled "An Act appointing commissioners to Jayout a state road from Wilcox to Williamsville, in Elk county.

    Act 652 of 1871 · P.L. 715 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  68. Supplement to an act, entitled ''An Act revising the road laws in the township of Clinton, in the county of Butler," approved the second day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 653 of 1871 · P.L. 716 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  69. Making it obligatory upon all persons, in the county of Montgomery, applying to the court of quarter sessions for a jury to view and lay out public roads in said county, to notify the county commissioners.

    Act 654 of 1871 · P.L. 717 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  70. Authorizing the council of the borough of Birmingham, in the county of Allegheny, to borrow money and issue bonds to erect a new market house.

    Act 655 of 1871 · P.L. 717 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  71. To authorize the consolidation of adjacent territory with the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 656 of 1871 · P.L. 718 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  72. Giving a bounty on fox scalps in the county of Carbon.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 721 · 1871 · Scanned page

  73. To validate and make legal the ollicial acra of the officers of Latrob© borough, in the county of Westmoreland, for the years one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, and one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, though they failed to take the oath of ofiice, as required by law. Preamble

    Act 659 of 1871 · P.L. 722 · 1871 · Scanned page

  74. To authorize the board of school directors for the borough of Pleasantville, Venango county, to increase the school tax.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 723 · 1871 · Scanned page

  75. Relating to the borough of Cambria, in the county of Cambria, extending t'.e jurisdiction of the same, and authorizing the police thereof to make arrests be3'ond the limits of the same.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 724 · 1871 · Scanned page

  76. Relative to the military fund of Clinton connty.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 725 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  77. To incorporate the Columbia Dime Savings Bank. Sectiox 1.

    Act 663 of 1871 · P.L. 725 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  78. Regulating the mode of granting licenses to taverns, brewers and venders of liquor, with or without goods, in the city of Erie.

    Act 664 of 1871 · P.L. 728 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  79. Relating to the Mount Sinai Cemetery Association of Pennsylvania.

    Act 665 of 1871 · P.L. 729 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  80. Authorizing the burgess and town council of the boroush of South Pittsburj;. in the county of Alleghenj-, to borrow money, issue bonds and to levy and collect a tax for the redemption of the same.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 730 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  81. To provide for the completion of the Marine hospital at Erie.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 731 · 1871 · Scanned page

  82. To the charter of the city of Reading.

    Act 668 of 1871 · P.L. 732 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  83. To incorporate the Merchants' Warehousing Company of Philadelphia.

    Act 669 of 1871 · P.L. 733 · 1871 · Scanned page

  84. To establish the Soho and Ormsby steam ferry over the Mocongahela river, in Allegheny countj'.

    Act 670 of 1871 · P.L. 736 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  85. To incorporate the Bell's Gap Railroad Company.

    Act 671 of 1871 · P.L. 737 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  86. Supplement To a supplement to an act for the organization, discipline and regulation of the militia of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, approved May fourth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and approved April seventh, one thousand eight hundred and seventy, relating to Lancaster county.

    Act 672 of 1871 · P.L. 738 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  87. Authorizing the burgess and town council of the borough of Allentown, in the county of Allegheny, to levy and collect a tax not exceeding fifteen mills on the assessed valuation for the year Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, and annually thereafter, and changing the manner of collecting the taxes in said borough.

    Act 673 of 1871 · P.L. 739 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  88. To incorporate the Bird-in-Hand and Bridgeport Turnpike Road Company.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 740 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  89. To incorporate the Lehigh Live Stock Exchange Company.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 742 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  90. Regulating the election of burgess and town council of the borough of M'Keesport, ti.xing their terms of ofTico and increasing their powers.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 744 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  91. To authorize and require the county commissioners of Snyder county to erect a bridge over Middle creek, in said county.

    Act 678 of 1871 · P.L. 746 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  92. Fixing the rate of compensation for the collection of militia tax in the counties of Cumberland and Franklin.

    Act 680 of 1871 · P.L. 747 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  93. Relating to the Titusville Printing Association, clianging the manner of voting at elections thereof, and legalizing its organization.

    Act 681 of 1871 · P.L. 748 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  94. To repeal un act, entitled "An Act relative to the pay of supervisors and auditors in certain townships in the county of Lawrence," approved April the second, one thousand eight hund_red and

    Act 683 of 1871 · P.L. 749 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  95. To incorporate the Bellefonte and Pleasant Gap Turnpike Company, in the county of Centre.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 751 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  96. Extendhiff tho limits of the incoino of the trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.

    Act 686 of 1871 · P.L. 752 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  97. To incorporate the Lehigh Car Manufacturing Company of

    Act 687 of 1871 · P.L. 753 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  98. Gin §ict Yacatins: portions of certain streets and alleys in tlie village of Columbia, Washington county, and changing the name thereof to West Columbia.

    Act 689 of 1871 · P.L. 755 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  99. To pay a gratuity and pension to Adolphus Hall, a soldier of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

    Act 690 of 1871 · P.L. 756 · 1871 · Scanned page

  100. To enable the shareholders of the Stowers' Pork Packing aud Provivision Company to purchase and hold stock purchased from each other.

    Act 691 of 1871 · P.L. 757 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

By decade

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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.