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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, entitled "An Act for the further regulation of boroughs," approved the second day of June, Anno Domini one thousand eij;ht hundred and seventy-one, so far as the same relates to the borough of Carlisle, Cumberland county.

    Act 320 of 1872 · P.L. 348 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  2. Authorizing the city of Oil City to provide water works and gasworks, and to borrow money

    Act 321 of 1872 · P.L. 348 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  3. Supplement To an aet, entitled "An Aot to incorporate the Tioncsta Bridiro Company,"' approved the severteenth da^' of March, Anno Domini one thousand ciubt hundred and seventy, to change the place, corpurators, and extend time.

    Act 322 of 1872 · P.L. 352 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  4. To incorporate the Co-operative Mercantile Company of Brownsville, Pennsylvania.

    Act 323 of 1872 · P.L. 353 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  5. Supplement ^ales to bo subject to apnroval of court. Notice of hearing to be given To an act authorizing the school directors of the borough of Butler to sell certain lands in said borough, approved the sixth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 324 of 1872 · P.L. 354 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  6. To annul the marriage contract between John S. Waterman and Eliza R. "Waterman, his wife.

    Act 325 of 1872 · P.L. 355 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  7. To incorporate the Hazleton Gas Company.

    Act 326 of 1872 · P.L. 355 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  8. Relating to elections and election officers in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 327 of 1872 · P.L. 358 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  9. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act concerning streets and sewers in the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 328 of 1872 · P.L. 360 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  10. To authorize the state treasurer to refund certain collateral inheritance tax to the executor of the estate of John Shivelaj'-, deceased.

    Act 329 of 1872 · P.L. 361 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  11. Authorizing the directors of the Fourth school district of the city of Scranton, to levy and collect an additional tax during the present school

    Act 330 of 1872 · P.L. 362 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  12. For the iDcorporation of a society for the pretention of cruelty to animals in the county of Allegheny.

    Act 331 of 1872 · P.L. 363 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  13. To incorporate the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of East Birmingham, to be located in East Birmingham, Allegheny county.

    Act 52 of 1872 · P.L. 364 · March 14, 1872 · Scanned page

  14. To authorize the burgess and council of the borough of M'Keesport, in Allegheny county, to remove bodies froua the old grave-yard in said borough, tosell the ground and purchase other ground for burial purposes.

    Act 333 of 1872 · P.L. 367 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  15. To annul the marriage contract between Adley Calhoun and Emily Calhoun, lato Euiily Edmundson.

    Act 335 of 1872 · P.L. 369 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  16. To exempt the Hall of Grand United Order of Odd Fellows of America, (colored,) number six hundred and two, Spruce street, in the city of Philadelphia, from taxation.

    Act 336 of 1872 · P.L. 369 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  17. Supplement to the act incorporafing the Paros Coal, Mining and Lumber Company of Pecnsj'lvania, approved April eighth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixtj'-seveu.

    Act 337 of 1872 · P.L. 370 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  18. To authorize the Governor to appoint an auctioneer for the borough of Hazleton, Luzerne county.

    Act 338 of 1872 · P.L. 370 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  19. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Point Breeze Park Association, approved February eighth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.

    Act 339 of 1872 · P.L. 371 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  20. To authorize the governor to appoint two additional notaries public to reside in the city of Wilkes Barre, LuMrne county.

    Act 340 of 1872 · P.L. 372 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  21. Supplement to the act of assembly of March eighteenth, seventeen hundred and seventy-fiYe, entitled **An Act to regulate the assize of bread and for other purposes therein

    Act 341 of 1872 · P.L. 373 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  22. Iiioorporating the Harbison Farm and Beaver Falls Road Company.

    Act 342 of 1872 · P.L. 373 · 1872 · Scanned page

  23. Supplement to an act incorijorating the Little Equinunk and Union Woods Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 343 of 1872 · P.L. 374 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  24. Supplement to an act, entitled "A supplement to an act, entitled 'An Act yiving a bounty on fox scalps, in the county of Dauphin,' approved twentyseventh daj' of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, extending the same to Schuylkill county.

    Act 314 of 1872 · P.L. 375 · 1872 · Scanned page

  25. Supplement to an act to promote tho business of lumbering in the counties of Clinton, Centre, Clearfield and Elk. passed the fifteenth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 345 of 1872 · P.L. 376 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  26. Authorizing the First Methodist Episcopal church of Sharon, Pennsylvania, to disinter and remove the dead from their burial ground, and alter said removal to sell said ground.

    Act 346 of 1872 · P.L. 376 · 1872 · Scanned page

  27. To vacate a portion of Taylor street, in the borough of Port Carbon, Schu3ikill county, Pennsylvania.

    Act 317 of 1872 · P.L. 378 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  28. To incorporate tlie Pennsylvania Tie Company.

    Act 348 of 1872 · P.L. 378 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  29. To Incorporate the Farmers' Market Company of the city of Harrisburg.

    Act 351 of 1872 · P.L. 381 · 1872 · Scanned page

  30. Amending the sixteenth section of an act approved I\rarch twentyninth, one thousand eight hundred and fifcy-nine, relative to the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Annville, Lebanon county.

    Act 352 of 1872 · P.L. 383 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  31. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act providing for the appointment of inspectors of salt in the cities of Pittsburg and Allegheny, and fixing the standard weight of a barrel of salt," approved the fifteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.

    Act 354 of 1872 · P.L. 385 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  32. Authorizing the trustees and elders of the Reformed parsonage of Allen township, Northampton county, to sell and convey certain property.

    Act 355 of 1872 · P.L. 385 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  33. To sell school property in Washington township, county of Northumberland.

    Act 356 of 1872 · P.L. 386 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  34. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act relating to roads, highways and bridges," approved June thirteenth, one thousand eight hundred and thirtysix, extending the same to Beaver Falls and Pulaski township, Beaver county.

    Act 357 of 1872 · P.L. 387 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  35. To facilitate the manufacturing interests of the Lehigh Crane Iron Company.

    Act 358 of 1872 · P.L. 388 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  36. To incorporate the Delano Land Company, and to exempt the bonds and stock of said company from the operation of the proviso of the act approved the fifteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, entitled "An Act to authorize railroad and canal companies to aid in the development of the coal, iron, lumber and other material interests of this commonwealth.

    Act 359 of 1872 · P.L. 388 · 1872 · Scanned page

  37. To authorize the English Evangelical Lutheran congregation of the borough of Clearfield to sell certain real estate.

    Act 360 of 1872 · P.L. 390 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  38. To authorize William W. Dinsmore to sell and convey certain real estate.

    Act 361 of 1872 · P.L. 391 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  39. To annul the marriage contract entered into between Charles B. Sayer and Ellen, his wife.

    Act 362 of 1872 · P.L. 393 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  40. To incorporate the Sullivan Anthracite Coal Company.

    Act 363 of 1872 · P.L. 393 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  41. id ATithorizing G. M. Smith, a justice of the peace in the township of Keating, M'Kean county, to have an office in the borough of Smethport.

    Act 364 of 1872 · P.L. 395 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  42. To anthorize the school directors of Menallen township, Fayette county, to levy and collect a bounty tax.

    Act 365 of 1872 · P.L. 396 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  43. Extending the provisions of an act relating to granting mileage to the commissioners of Wayne county, approved the first day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 366 of 1872 · P.L. 396 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  44. Relating to the payment of moneys due from Grove township, Clinton county, to Grove township, Cameron county, and to other persons.

    Act 367 of 1872 · P.L. 397 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  45. Supplement to an act to vacate certain streets in Loutzenhizer's addition to the borough of Greenville, in the county of Mercer.

    Act 368 of 1872 · P.L. 397 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  46. To authorlie the town council of the borough of Saint Clair to levy a tax for fire purposes.

    Act 369 of 1872 · P.L. 398 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  47. To extend the limits of the borough of Ligonier, In the county of Westmoreland.

    Act 370 of 1872 · P.L. 398 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  48. To incorporate the Monroe County Ck)-operative Life Insurance Company.

    Act 371 of 1872 · P.L. 400 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  49. To aa act J entitled "An Act to incorporate the Pottstown Market Company," approved the eleventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 401 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  50. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Sugrar Valloy Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Clinton county," approved ilio first day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixtj'-one.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 401 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  51. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Western Petmsylvania Classical and Scientific Institute, at Mount Pleasant," approved the fifteenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 374 of 1872 · P.L. 402 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  52. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Douglassville and Yellow House Turnpike Road Company," approved the twentyseventh day of February, Anuo Domini one thousand eij^ht hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 315 of 1872 · P.L. 403 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  53. To increase the pay of count}auditors for the county of

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 404 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  54. Relating to the couuty commissioners of Cambria

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 405 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  55. To incorporate the Germania Sick Relief Societj' of Allegheny city.,

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 405 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  56. Relating to the county of Pike, empowering.the commissioners thereof to levy an aiiditional tax.

    Act 380 of 1872 · P.L. 407 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  57. To fix mouthl}' relurn days in the courts of Clarion county.

    Act 381 of 1872 · P.L. 408 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  58. Supplement to an act i-elating to livery stable keepers in Allegheny, Berks and Westmoreland counties, extending the provisions of said act to Schuylkill

    Act 382 of 1872 · P.L. 409 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  59. Supplement to an act appointing commissioners to lay out and open a state road iu the counties of Potter and Clinion, approved March sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixiy-tive.

    Act 383 of 1872 · P.L. 410 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  60. Giving bounties for fox scalps and other animals in the county of Blair.

    Act 384 of 1872 · P.L. 410 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  61. To increase the pay of the coiniinssioners of the counties of M'Kean, Clinton and Elk.

    Act 385 of 1872 · P.L. 411 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  62. Relative to road and bridge viewers in Lebanon county.

    Act 388 of 1872 · P.L. 413 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  63. For the protection of sheep in the county of

    Act 390 of 1872 · P.L. 415 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  64. Relative to the establishment of a law library in the couutj' of Monroe.

    Act 391 of 1872 · P.L. 417 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  65. Relating to boarding house keepers in the county of Allegheny.

    Act 392 of 1872 · P.L. 419 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  66. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to amend the road laws in the township of Damascus, in the county of Wayne, and to legalize the acts of certain officers of said township," approved February twenty-eighth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.

    Act 393 of 1872 · P.L. 419 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  67. To establish a ferry over the Ohio river, at Shousetown, in the township of Crescent, in the county of Allegheny and state of Pennsylvania.

    Act 394 of 1872 · P.L. 420 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  68. Relating to collection of poor taxes in Zerbe township, in the county of Northumberland.

    Act 395 of 1872 · P.L. 421 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  69. To authorize the governor to incorporate a company to erect a bridge over the Allegheny river, from Graham's Landing, in Clarion county, to Parker's Landing, at or near the ferry, in Armstrong county.

    Act 396 of 1872 · P.L. 422 · March 16, 1872 · Scanned page

  70. To incorporate the Mutual Life Insurance Connpany cf Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 426 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  71. To incorporate the Tidioute and Economy Bridge Company.

    Act 399 of 1872 · P.L. 428 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  72. To open Leithgow street, from Berks to Hackley streets, in the Nineteenth ward of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 400 of 1872 · P.L. 432 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  73. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Orphan Asylum Society of Pittsburg and Allegheny,'' approved the twentieth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty -four, changing the name of said corporation, the limit of its annual income and authorizing the board of managers to fill vacancies.

    Act 401 of 1872 · P.L. 433 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  74. For the protection of livery stable keepers in the counties of Monroe and Clarion.

    Act 402 of 1872 · P.L. 434 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  75. To exempt the parsonage of the Presbyterian church and the parsonage of the Methodist Episcopal church of the borough of Rimersburg, in the county of Clarion, from taxation.

    Act 403 of 1872 · P.L. 435 · 1872 · Scanned page

  76. To incorporate the Union Street Railroad Company.

    Act 404 of 1872 · P.L. 435 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  77. To prescribe the mode of adopting and recording ordinances and resoluiions of the councils of the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 405 of 1872 · P.L. 437 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  78. Extending the provisions of an act to prevent cattle, hoises. mules, sheep and hoiis from ruiininji at large in Venango township. Erie covinty, and Little Beaver township, Lawrence county, to Perry, Scott and Union and Sheuango towdships, in Lawrence county.

    Act 406 of 1872 · P.L. 438 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  79. To incorporate the Philadelphia Sportsmen's Club.

    Act 407 of 1872 · P.L. 439 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  80. To authorize the opening of Oxford street from Front street to Second street, and Hope street from Jeflferson street to Oxford street, in the Seventeenth ward in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 408 of 1872 · P.L. 440 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  81. Appointing commissioners to view and lay out a public road in the counties of Butler and Beaver.

    Act 409 of 1872 · P.L. 441 · 1872 · Scanned page

  82. To authorize the councils of the city of Readinp; to widen Court street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, in said city.

    Act 410 of 1872 · P.L. 442 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  83. To incorporate the Little Sisters of the Poor of the city and county of Philadelphia.

    Act 411 of 1872 · P.L. 443 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  84. Supplementary to an act, entitled «'An Act to incorporate the borough of Wheatland, Mercer county," approved the day of February, one thousand eight hundred and and seventy-two.

    Act 412 of 1872 · P.L. 444 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  85. To a supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to authorize the Governor to incorporate the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company, and ita several supplements," approved August twenty-third, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, to amend the same by extending the provisions thereof to all railwa3's leased by the said Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company, since the passage of said act.

    Act 413 of 1872 · P.L. 445 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  86. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the People's Insurance Company of Pittsburg," approved the seventeenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.

    Act 414 of 1872 · P.L. 445 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  87. To place Occident avenue, in the city of Pliiladelphia, on tlie public plans, and to open, grade, curb and pave the same.

    Act 416 of 1872 · P.L. 447 · March 19, 1872 · Scanned page

  88. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Philadelphia and Montgomery County Railroad Company," approved April second, one thousand eight hundred and sixty.

    Act 417 of 1872 · P.L. 447 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  89. To repeal an act, approved the sixth day of June, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy, giving bounty on wild cats, weasels, uiinks, &c., in Union county.

    Act 418 of 1872 · P.L. 448 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  90. To repeal an act, entitled "An Act for the improvement of the public roads in Lancaster county," approved April fifth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 419 of 1872 · P.L. 449 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  91. Supplement to an act approved the sixth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad and Coal Company,'' giving authority to issue further stock.

    Act 420 of 1872 · P.L. 449 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  92. To authorize Catharine F. Cummins to sell certain real estate.

    Act 421 of 1872 · P.L. 450 · 1872 · Scanned page

  93. To incorporate the Miners' Deposit Bank.

    Act 423 of 1872 · P.L. 451 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  94. To prohibit the granting of license for the sale of intoxicating liquors in the township of Snj'der, in the county of Jefferson.

    Act 424 of 1872 · P.L. 453 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  95. To ail act, entitled "An Act to incorporate tlie Security Safe Deposit, Trust and Guarantee Company," approved April twelfth, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 425 of 1872 · P.L. 454 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  96. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act revising the charter of the municipal corporation of the city of Reading," passed April twenty-sixth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.

    Act 426 of 1872 · P.L. 454 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  97. To vacate a certain lane or road through the farm of H. W. Kanaga, iii Silver Spring townshi]), Cumberland county, Pennsylvania.

    Act 427 of 1872 · P.L. 455 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  98. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Gibsonburg ar.d Hubbard's Corner Turnpike Road Companj'-," approved April sixth, one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 428 of 1872 · P.L. 456 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  99. To repeal the incorporation of the Phoenix Park Coal Company, located in Schuylkill county.

    Act 429 of 1872 · P.L. 456 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  100. To authorize the supervisors of Conemaugh township, Indiana county, to collect the road taxes in said township in money.

    Act 430 of 1872 · P.L. 457 · March 20, 1872 · 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.