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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. To repeal an act approved the fourteenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy, relative to the payment of assessors and supervisors in "York county, as far as the same relates to the pay of assessors in said county.

    Act 911 of 1871 · P.L. 1013 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  2. Appointing commissioners to lay out, locate and open a state road from a point on the road leading from Union church to Wallace's lane, in Adams township, Butler county, at or near Kennedy's lane, to the Beaver road, at or near the house of Samuel Greer, in Pine township, Allegheny county.

    Act 912 of 1871 · P.L. 1014 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  3. To lay out a state road in the counties of Lebanon and Lancaster.

    Act 913 of 1871 · P.L. 1015 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  4. Relative to the pay of jurors in the counties of Butler and Lawrence.

    Act 914 of 1871 · P.L. 1017 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  5. Supplement to an act to incorporate the borough of Columbia.

    Act 915 of 1871 · P.L. 1017 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  6. To amend an act, entitled "An Act to regulate the terms of the several courts in the Sixth judicial district," approved March second, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 916 of 1871 · P.L. 1018 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  7. To incorporate the Potlsville Female Institute, and to authorize it to borrow money and mortgage its property.

    Act 917 of 1871 · P.L. 1018 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  8. To extend the provisions of an act to prevent cattle, horses, mules, sheep and hogs from running at large in Upper and Lower Merion townships, Montgomery county, and the townships of Upper and Lower Nazareth, in the county of Northampton, to the townships of Forks and Palmer, in the county of Northampton.

    Act 918 of 1871 · P.L. 1022 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  9. To authorize James H. Wharton, postmaster at Port Royal, Juniata county, to act as notary public in said county.

    Act 919 of 1871 · P.L. 1022 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  10. Authorizing the school directors of Washington sub-school district of the city of Pittsburg to levy a special tax.

    Act 920 of 1871 · P.L. 1023 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  11. For the improvement of certain streets in the city of Erie.

    Act 922 of 1871 · P.L. 1025 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  12. To establish a ferry across the Allegheny river, at a point a short distance above the mouth of Two Mile run, in Sugar Creek township, Venango county.

    Act 923 of 1871 · P.L. 1026 · 1871 · Scanned page

  13. To extend to Montour county the provisions of an act giving bounty on fox, mink and pole cat scalps in the county of Northumberland, approved April sixth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 924 of 1871 · P.L. 1028 · 1871 · Scanned page

  14. To authorize and empower the town council of the borough of Ashland, in the county of Schuylkill, to borrow money.

    Act 925 of 1871 · P.L. 1029 · 1871 · Scanned page

  15. To authorize the borough of Dauville to borrow money for the pur-. chase of steam fire engines, et cetera, and to increase taxation.

    Act 926 of 1871 · P.L. 1030 · 1871 · Scanned page

  16. Supplement to an act relative to streets in the city of Allegheny,

    Act 928 of 1871 · P.L. 1032 · 1871 · Scanned page

  17. Supplement To an act, entitled "An Act for the assessment and levying a tax in Lehigh township, Northampton county, and Lowhill township, Lehigh county, for the payment of bounties," approved April eleventh, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 929 of 1871 · P.L. 1034 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  18. Supplement To an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Wellsboro' and Lawrenceville Railroad Company," approved the fourth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 930 of 1871 · P.L. 1035 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  19. To limit the power and authority of the borough authorities of the borough of Emporium, in the county of Cameron, over the streets therein, and to authorize the setting out of shade trees along the streets.

    Act 932 of 1871 · P.L. 1037 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  20. Relative to collection of road tax in the township of North-East, in the county of Erie.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1038 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  21. Relative to licenses of vehicles and to the prosecution of disorderly persons in the borough of St. Clair, iu the county of Allegheny.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1039 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  22. To authorize the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to issue bonds and secure the same by mortgage. Kection 1.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1040 · 1871 · Scanned page

  23. Relative to the collection of borough taxes in the borough of Coatesville, in the county of Chester.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1040 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  24. To incorporate the Wilkesbarre Deposit and Savings Bank of Wilkosbarre.

    Act 038 of 1871 · P.L. 1042 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  25. To prevent cattle, horses, sheep and hogs from running at large in the township of Dyberry. in the county of Wayne.

    Act 937 of 1871 · P.L. 1042 · 1871 · Scanned page

  26. Supplement To an act to incorporate the Mount Pleasant and Broad Ford Railroad Company, approved the sixth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 939 of 1871 · P.L. 1046 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  27. auditors to audit and settle the bounty accounts of the Viorough of White Haven, iu the county of Luzerne.

    Act 940 of 1871 · P.L. 1046 · May 20, 1871 · Scanned page

  28. To incorporate the Butler Savings Bank.

    Act 941 of 1871 · P.L. 1047 · 1871 · Scanned page

  29. To regulate medical practice in the county of Northumberland.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1049 · May 22, 1871 · Scanned page

  30. To revoke the charter of the Primrose Coal Company.

    Act 942 of 1871 · P.L. 1049 · 1871 · Scanned page

  31. To define and extend the boundaries of the borough of Mifflinburg.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1050 · May 22, 1871 · Scanned page

  32. Relating to the borough of East Conemaugh, in the county of Cambria.

    Act 945 of 1871 · P.L. 1051 · May 22, 1871 · Scanned page

  33. To authorize the Danville, Ilazleton and Wilkesbarre Railroad Company to borrow money.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1052 · May 23, 1871 · Scanned page

  34. To authorize the Commonwealth Improvement Company to classify and reduce their capital stock and to dispose of securities.

    Act 948 of 1871 · P.L. 1054 · 1871 · Scanned page

  35. To incorporate the Hazleton Savings Bank.

    Act 949 of 1871 · P.L. 1055 · 1871 · Scanned page

  36. To incorporate the Quaker City Bank.

    Act 950 of 1871 · P.L. 1058 · May 23, 1871 · Scanned page

  37. To validate the probate of the deed of Augustus and Sarah Ann Colson, to John Reynolds.

    Act 951 of 1871 · P.L. 1060 · May 23, 1871 · Scanned page

  38. Supplementing the charter of the Woods Run Savings Fund and Loan Association of the county of Allegheny. Fre-amble.

    Act 952 of 1871 · P.L. 1061 · 1871 · Scanned page

  39. Granting a pension to Henry Fix.

    Act 954 of 1871 · P.L. 1065 · 1871 · Scanned page

  40. Supplement To an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Scranton Law and Library Association in the city of Scranton," approved the seventeenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 956 of 1871 · P.L. 1066 · May 23, 1871 · Scanned page

  41. Regulating the assessment of seated lands where county lines divide.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1067 · 1871 · Scanned page

  42. Xo. 958. gin ^ti Supplementarj' to an act to incorporate the Federal Insurance Company of Allegheny.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1068 · May 23, 1871 · Scanned page

  43. Supplement To an act, entitled '"An Act relatiiif; to liens of mechanics, materialmen and laborers upon leasehold estates and property thereon, in the county of Venansro," approved the eighth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.

    Act 059 of 1871 · P.L. 1068 · 1871 · Scanned page

  44. To authorize the common council of Harrisburg to make an appropriation.

    Act 960 of 1871 · P.L. 1069 · May 23, 1871 · Scanned page

  45. to the opemng and grading of Wylie avenue, from Kirkpatrick street to Herron avenue.

    Act 961 of 1871 · P.L. 1069 · May 23, 1871 · Scanned page

  46. To authorize the school directors of the borough of Shenandoah, in the county of Schuylkill, to borrow money.

    Act 962 of 1871 · P.L. 1070 · 1871 · Scanned page

  47. To incorporate the Soldiers' Monumental Fund Association of the city of

    Act 963 of 1871 · P.L. 1071 · 1871 · Scanned page

  48. To alter and define the northern boundary of the borough of Orwigsburg, in the county of Schuylkill.

    Act 964 of 1871 · P.L. 1072 · 1871 · Scanned page

  49. To incorporate the Ashland Mutual Firo Insurance Company.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1073 · 1871 · Scanned page

  50. To prohibit fishing in the Turk dam, in Doylestown township, Bucks county.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1074 · 1871 · Scanned page

  51. Relating to the election of burgess and town council and other purposes in the borough of Le Raysville, in the county of Bradford.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1075 · 1871 · Scanned page

  52. Relating to bounty taxes in Ligonicr township, Westmoreland county.

    Act 970 of 1871 · P.L. 1078 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  53. Supplement To an act incorporating the Union Contract Company, approved December tliirtj'-first, one thousand eitjht hundred and

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1080 · 1871 · Scanned page

  54. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the city of Lock Haven,'* approved the tvrenty-eighth da3'' of M arch, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1080 · 1871 · Scanned page

  55. Authorizing the common council of the city of HaiTisburg to open State street to its intersection with the Jonestown road.

    Act 974 of 1871 · P.L. 1081 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  56. To incorporate tlie Shamokin Life Insurance and Trust Company.

    Act 975 of 1871 · P.L. 1082 · 1871 · Scanned page

  57. Giving the Mehoopany Mining and Manufacturing Company the right to clear and drive ISIehoopany creek, and to boom the Susquehanna river.

    Act 976 of 1871 · P.L. 1082 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  58. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Federal Street and Pleasant Valley Paaseuger Railway Company, authorizing said company to have viewers appointed to fix compensation for property taken for the use of said company.

    Act 978 of 1871 · P.L. 1085 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  59. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the East Broad Top Raih-oad and Coal Company.

    Act 980 of 1871 · P.L. 1087 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  60. Supplement to an act, entitled '-An Act relative to partition of mineral land in thecounty of Luzerne," approved the twenty-sixth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 981 of 1871 · P.L. 1088 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  61. Supplemental to an act, entitled "An Act to authorize tha erection of a poor house in the townships of Auburn and Rush, in the county of Susquehanna.

    Act 982 of 1871 · P.L. 1089 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  62. To incorporate the Excelsior Enterprise Company, with power to purchase, improve, use and dispose of property, to aid contractors and others, and for other purposes.

    Act 983 of 1871 · P.L. 1089 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  63. To extend the provisions of an act to change the mode of criminal proceedings in Erie and Union counties, to the borough of Phcenixville, in the county of Chester.

    Act 985 of 1871 · P.L. 1091 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  64. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act to provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor in the count3^ of Erie," approved June twenty-fourth, Anno Domini one thousand eiglit hundred and thirtj'-niue.

    Act 986 of 1871 · P.L. 1092 · 1871 · Scanned page

  65. Supplementary to an act, entitled "An Act to enable the school directors of Strasburg borough school district, in the county of Lancaster, to sell certain school houses and lots, and to borrow money for building a new Union school house in said borough, and to provide for the holding of an election in relation to the same.

    Act 987 of 1871 · P.L. 1092 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  66. Supplementary to an act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Chartiers Cemetery Company of Allegheny county, Pennsj^vania," approved the fifth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.

    Act 988 of 1871 · P.L. 1093 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  67. To an net to incorporate tho General Elder^ip of the Church of God in North America, approved the eighteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 989 of 1871 · P.L. 1094 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  68. To increase the pay of all township oflicers of Gregg township, Union county.

    Act 990 of 1871 · P.L. 1094 · 1871 · Scanned page

  69. Entitled "A supplement to an act erecting the villages of Mount Joy and Richland, and their vicinity, in the county of Lancaster, into a boroiigU, to be called the borough of Mount Joy," passed the tenth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.

    Act 993 of 1871 · P.L. 1096 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  70. To repeal so mucli of the act, entitled '-An Act relative to fishing in the streams, lakes, canals and reservoirs in the county of Crawford," approved March twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and seventy, as prohibits fishing with spears therein.

    Act 995 of 1871 · P.L. 1099 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  71. To authorize the Harrowgate and Plank Road Land Company to sell and convey certain real estate and confirming former sales.

    Act 996 of 1871 · P.L. 1100 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  72. Relative to notaries public in the county of Schuylkill.

    Act 997 of 1871 · P.L. 1101 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  73. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act to punish the buying or receiving of scrap iron, brass or other metals from minors or unknown and irresponsible persons, in the counties of Lancaster and Philadelphia," extending the provisions of said act to the counties of Berks, Bucks and Carbon.

    Act 998 of 1871 · P.L. 1102 · 1871 · Scanned page

  74. To allow mileage to the commissioners of Clarion county.

    Act 999 of 1871 · P.L. 1102 · 1871 · Scanned page

  75. Empowering the chief burgess and town council of the borough of Tremont, Schuylkill county, to borrow money.

    Act 1000 of 1871 · P.L. 1103 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  76. To repeal an act, entitled "An Act regulating the granting of licenses to taverns, eating houses, breweries ancj venders of liquors, Avith or without other goods, in the city of Titusville, in the county of Crawford," approved the seventeenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 1001 of 1871 · P.L. 1103 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  77. To increase the pay of supervisors and overseer of the poor in Clinton township, Lycoming county, and the court criers and tipstaves of Indiana county.

    Act 1002 of 1871 · P.L. 1104 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  78. To confirni the title of the Philadelphia and Erie Kailroad Company ■ to certain real estate and property in the county of Erie, and formerly belonging to the Anthracite Coal and Iron Company.

    Act 1003 of 1871 · P.L. 1104 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  79. To confirm the title of Samuel Parmer and others to an island or bar in the river Delaware.

    Act 1004 of 1871 · P.L. 1105 · 1871 · Scanned page

  80. To aid the Cumberland Valley State Normal school.

    Act 1005 of 1871 · P.L. 1106 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  81. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Schuylkill Haven Mutunl Life and Health Insurance Company," approved the nineteenth of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1107 · 1871 · Scanned page

  82. Supplement to an act to regulate the sale of intoxicating liquors, approved the thirty-first day of ]March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, and the supplement thereto, approved AprU eight, Anno Domini one tliousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, so far as the same relates to the county of

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1108 · 1871 · Scanned page

  83. Relating to the roads in Cumberland, Franklin and Centre townships, in Greene

    Act 1008 of 1871 · P.L. 1112 · 1871 · Scanned page

  84. To authorize the appointment of a notary public for the town of Catawissa.

    Act 1009 of 1871 · P.L. 1114 · 1871 · Scanned page

  85. Kegulating the fees of notaries public in Columbia county.

    Act 1010 of 1871 · P.L. 1115 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  86. Authorizing the borough authorities of the borough of Sharpsburg, in the county of Allegheny, to levy and collect a special tax for the purpose of erecting a lock-up house in said borough.

    Act 1011 of 1871 · P.L. 1115 · 1871 · Scanned page

  87. For the relief of James De Golyer, a soldier of the war of eighteen hundred and twelve.

    Act 1013 of 1871 · P.L. 1116 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  88. Extending the provisions of the act, entitled "An Act relative to the distribution of the proceeds of sheriff's sales of real estate in tlio county of Allegheny," approved April tenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, to the county of Lehigh.

    Act 1014 of 1871 · P.L. 1117 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  89. For the relief of Joseph De Long, a soldier of the war of eighteen hundred and twelve.

    Act 1015 of 1871 · P.L. 1118 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  90. Supplement to the act to prevent horses and cattle from running at large in tho townships of Derry, Londonderry, Swatara, Lower Swatara, Middletown and Susquehanna, in the county of Dauphin, approved April second, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, extending the same to the township of Miffiia and the borough of Berrysburg, in the county of Dauphin.

    Act 1016 of 1871 · P.L. 1118 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  91. To prevent certain animals from running at large in Cherry township, Sullivan county.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1119 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  92. Supplement To an act incorporating the city of Carbondale.

    Act 1018 of 1871 · P.L. 1120 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  93. To incorporate the village of Riverside, in the county of Northumberland, into a borough.

    Act 1019 of 1871 · P.L. 1120 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  94. To allow mileage to the commissioners of Juniata county.

    Act 1020 of 1871 · P.L. 1123 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  95. Regulating the compensation of witnesses in the courts of Columbia county.

    Act 1021 of 1871 · P.L. 1124 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  96. To enable David Fouse and Harris Ricliardson, collectors of taxes in Hopewell and Lincoln townships, Huntingdon county, to collect unpaid taxes.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1126 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  97. Xo. 1024. Supplemental to the act to provide for the reduction of the public debt, approved April twenty-second, one thousand eight hundred and forty-six.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 1126 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  98. Relating to Sycamore and Forty-first streets, in the Twenty-fourth ward of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 1025 of 1871 · P.L. 1127 · May 24, 1871 · Scanned page

  99. Supplement to an act to enable the governor to incorporate a company to make an artificial road by the best and nearest route from the town of Hanover, in the county of York, to the Maryland line, at or near the place the turnpilce from Baltimore to the state line, towards Hanover, Avill strike the same, passed the twenty-second day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and eight.

    Act 1026 of 1871 · P.L. 1128 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  100. To tlao acts approved April eighth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, and jNIarch twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty -nine, authorizing the school directors of Irwin borough to borrow money.

    Act 1027 of 1871 · P.L. 1129 · 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.