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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 to incorporate tbe Philadelphia aud Delaware River Railroad Company, approved the fourth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 432 of 1872 · P.L. 459 · 1872 · Scanned page

  2. To allow the voters of the Twenty-ninth ward of the city of Philadelphia to vote on the question of licensing the sale of intoxicating liquors.

    Act 434 of 1872 · P.L. 463 · 1872 · Scanned page

  3. Supplement to an act to incorporate the city of Philadelphia, relative to the election of members of common council.

    Act 435 of 1872 · P.L. 465 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  4. To incorporate the Lock Haven Savings Bank.

    Act 436 of 1872 · P.L. 465 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  5. To incorporate the Arsenal Bank of the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 437 of 1872 · P.L. 469 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  6. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act authorizing the Governor to appoint a gauirer and inspector of crude and refined petroleum, for tlie county of Clarion, and one for the county of Armstrong,'" approved tlie eighteenth day of May, Anno Domini eighteen hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 438 of 1872 · P.L. 471 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  7. 472 LATTS OF rENNSTLVANIA, 1^0. 439. Eolating to the West Philadelphia Passenger Railway Company, the Philadelphia City Passenger Railway Company, and the Hestonville, Mantua and Fairmouut Passenger Railwaj'^ Company.

    Act 439 of 1872 · P.L. 472 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  8. Relating to the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company.

    Act 440 of 1872 · P.L. 472 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  9. To repeal an act, entitled "An Act amending the charter of the borough of Logansville, York count}', Pennsylvania," approved the fifteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 441 of 1872 · P.L. 473 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  10. To amend an act, entitled "An Act to provide for the improvement of Penn avenue, and other avenues and streets in the city of Pittsburtr. Officers appointed to liold election for t-ommissionera, to fix time and place thereof. Koticr. What persons entitled to vote, Proxies.

    Act 442 of 1872 · P.L. 474 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  11. To vpst the title to certain property, in the borough of Stroudsburg, Penris\'lvania, in the board of school directors of said borough.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 477 · March 20, 1872 · Scanned page

  12. To authorize J. R. Williams and Andrew J. Williams, or the survivor of them, of the county of Luzerne, to sell a certain piece of real estate in the township of Plains, in the county Luzerne.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 479 · 1872 · Scanned page

  13. No. 44G.,an act Conferring certain powers and privileges upon the Erie County Sav- ' Jngs Bank of Erie, Pennsylvania.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 480 · March 21, 1872 · Scanned page

  14. To prevent the destruction of lish in Little Conewago creek and its tributaries, and the west branch of the Codorus creek and its tributaries, in York and Adams counties.

    Act 448 of 1872 · P.L. 481 · March 21, 1872 · Scanned page

  15. Supplement to an act incorporating the Huntingdon Gas Company, approved the fourteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and fiftyseven.

    Act 449 of 1872 · P.L. 482 · March 21, 1872 · Scanned page

  16. To legalize the official acts of Samuel A. Cf Id well, a justice of the peace of Clearfield county.

    Act 450 of 1872 · P.L. 483 · March 21, 1872 · Scanned page

  17. To incorporate the Highspire Car and Manufacturing Company.

    Act 451 of 1872 · P.L. 484 · February 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  18. To incorporate the White Hall and Allen Township Bridge Company.

    Act 452 of 1872 · P.L. 488 · March 8, 1872 · Scanned page

  19. To exempt the Colored Masons' hall, number four hundred and nine, South Eleventh street, in the city of Philadelphia from taxation.

    Act 458 of 1872 · P.L. 489 · March 11, 1872 · Scanned page

  20. To incorporate the Fort Hunter Road Conaniission.

    Act 455 of 1872 · P.L. 491 · March 15, 1872 · Scanned page

  21. To authorize tiie supervisors of New Milford township, Susquehanna county, to levy and collect a tax for township expenses, et cetera.

    Act 456 of 1872 · P.L. 493 · March 21, 1872 · Scanned page

  22. Authorizing the treasurer of the county of Allegheny to pay to Gottleib Faas, of the city of Allegheny, from the forfeitei recognizance of H. W. Behrhorst, the amount due him from said Behrhorst.

    Act 457 of 1872 · P.L. 494 · March 21, 1872 · Scanned page

  23. Authorizing tlie county commissioners of Blair county, to borrow nioney and pay certain claims for labor, materials and furnishing the same, against Jonathan Pvhule, contractor for the erection of the Blair county prison.

    Act 458 of 1872 · P.L. 495 · March 21, 1872 · Scanned page

  24. To repeal section four of an act, approved February twenty-sixth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, entitled "An Act to authorize the council and inhabitants of the borough of Frankford to borrow money to erect gas works in the borough, relative to the Powelion school house in Philadelphia county, to the American College of Medicine, and to hold elections in

    Act 459 of 1872 · P.L. 496 · March 22, 1872 · Scanned page

  25. To incorporate the St. Petersburg Water Company.

    Act 460 of 1872 · P.L. 497 · March 22, 1872 · Scanned page

  26. To repeal an act, entitled «'An Act to incorporate the Eclectic Medical College c>f Pennsylvania," approved the twenty-fifth day of February, Anno Dotiiini eighteen hundred and fifty.

    Act 461 of 1872 · P.L. 498 · March 22, 1872 · Scanned page

  27. To increase the pay of supervisors road, overseers of the poor, road and bridge viewers and township auditors in Clearfield

    Act 462 of 1872 · P.L. 499 · March 22, 1872 · Scanned page

  28. To incorporate the Mountain Branch Railroad Company.

    Act 464 of 1872 · P.L. 502 · March 22, 1872 · Scanned page

  29. To authorize the school directors of the borough of Tamaqua, in the county of Schuj-lkill, to borrow

    Act 465 of 1872 · P.L. 503 · March 22, 1872 · Scanned page

  30. To repeal an act, entitled ''An Act to repeal an act to change the venne from Schuylkill county to Northampton county, approved the seventeenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four," -^hich was approved the twenty-sixth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 466 of 1872 · P.L. 504 · March 22, 1872 · Scanned page

  31. To repeal an act of assembly, entitled "An Act to change the venue in a certain cause now pending in the supreme court at Phila(ielphia to court of common pleas of Venango county,'" approved the fourth day of January, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 468 of 1872 · P.L. 507 · March 22, 1872 · Scanned page

  32. To in corporal 9 the Philadelphia Camp Meeting and Excursion As39ciation of the Methodist Episcopal

    Act 469 of 1872 · P.L. 507 · March 22, 1872 · Scanned page

  33. Supplement to the act relaiing to estraj's in the county of Delaware, approved February twenty-second, one thousand eight hundred and sixty.

    Act 470 of 1872 · P.L. 510 · 1872 · Scanned page

  34. To authorize the coiincils of the city of Erie to vacate the northern terminal portion of German stret-t, in the city of Erie, aud empower them to sell and convey the same.

    Act 471 of 1872 · P.L. 511 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  35. To incorporate the Pittsburg Academy of Art and Design,

    Act 472 of 1872 · P.L. 511 · 1872 · Scanned page

  36. To incorporate Equinunk Lodge, number four hundred and eighteen, of the Independent Order of Good Templars.

    Act 473 of 1872 · P.L. 512 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  37. To authorize the president and directors of the Putneyville Pioneer Oil Company to sell the real and personal property of said company.

    Act 474 of 1872 · P.L. 513 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  38. Supplement to an act. entitled "An Act to incorporate the Pittston Industrial Coopprative Association, number one, in the borough of Pittston, for mercantile purposes," approved April fifth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 475 of 1872 · P.L. 514 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  39. To allow the voters of the Thirteenth ward of the city of Philadelphia to vote for or against the issuing of licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors within the said ward.

    Act 476 of 1872 · P.L. 515 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  40. To vacate certain streets and alleys in the borough of Leecbburg, Armstrong county.

    Act 477 of 1872 · P.L. 517 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  41. To validate the issuing of certain bonds and script by the borough of Centralia, in the county of Columbia, and to authorize the town council of said borough to levy a special tax for the payment of the same.

    Act 478 of 1872 · P.L. 517 · 1872 · Scanned page

  42. To authorize the school directors of North Huntingdon township, Westmoreland count3'-, to release an annuity in certain real estate to James White.

    Act 419 of 1872 · P.L. 518 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  43. Authorizing the burgess and town council of the borough of Rochester, Beaver county, to extend Kentucky street, in said borough.

    Act 480 of 1872 · P.L. 520 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  44. Giving a bounty on fox and wild cat scalps in Westmoreland and Butler counties.

    Act 482 of 1872 · P.L. 521 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  45. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Montrose Mining Conipany," approved the twenty-seventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 485 of 1872 · P.L. 524 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  46. Relating to fees of justices of the peace and constables in the counties of Erie and Columbia.

    Act 486 of 1872 · P.L. 524 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  47. Relative to the fees of constables in Columbia county.

    Act 487 of 1872 · P.L. 525 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  48. To authorize and require the school directors of Limestone township, in Montour county, to levy and collect an additional bounty tax.

    Act 488 of 1872 · P.L. 525 · 1872 · Scanned page

  49. To authorize the town council of the borough of Marion, Indiana count.v, to levy tax for street and road purposes.

    Act 489 of 1872 · P.L. 526 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  50. Authorizing tlie school directors of the borough of Pleasantville, Venango county, to borrow money, to issue bonds, and to levy and collect a tax.

    Act 490 of 1872 · P.L. 527 · April 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  51. For the extension of the warrant for the collection of school taxes, in the school district of the township of Carbondale, Luzerne county.

    Act 492 of 1872 · P.L. 528 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  52. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Keystone Normal school in the county of Berks," approved the eleventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 493 of 1872 · P.L. 529 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  53. To prevent the hunting of deer with dogs in the counties of M'Kean and Elk.

    Act 494 of 1872 · P.L. 530 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  54. Relative to the building of state road from Keating station on the Philadelphia and Erie railroad, Clinron county, Pennsylvania, via of John Rohn's, Potter's mills and Schnars"s mills, to Central Point, in Covington township, Cieartield county, Pennsylvania.

    Act 496 of 1872 · P.L. 534 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  55. Supplement to the act authorizing the building of the Hopper House and Paddy's Run state road in Potter county, authorizing the commissioners of said road to apply certain funds in their hfln<is to the payment of a debt contracted in building a portion of the same.

    Act 497 of 1872 · P.L. 535 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  56. To provide for the payment of road damages to John R. Nicely and John Hawkey, of HoUenback township, Luzerne county.

    Act 498 of 1872 · P.L. 536 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  57. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Mutual Protection Life Insurance Company.

    Act 499 of 1872 · P.L. 536 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  58. To authorize the school board of the city of Titusville to borrow money.

    Act 500 of 1872 · P.L. 538 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  59. To re-imburse the township of Foster, in the county of Luzerne, for the cost of building a bridge over the river Lehigh at the Tannery.

    Act 501 of 1872 · P.L. 538 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  60. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the City Deposit Bank and Trust Company," approved the first of May, Anno Domini one thousand eijiht hundred and sixty-six, increasing the number of directors thereof.

    Act 502 of 1872 · P.L. 539 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  61. To authorize an additional judge for the district court of the city and county of Philadelphia.

    Act 503 of 1872 · P.L. 540 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  62. To allow the voters of the Fourteenth ward of the city of Philadelphia, to vote on the question of granting licenses to sell intoxicaiiug liquors.

    Act 504 of 1872 · P.L. 540 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  63. To incorporate the Foxburg and St. Petersburg Turnpike and Plank Roiid Company, within the county of Clarion.

    Act 505 of 1872 · P.L. 541 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  64. To regulate the practice of medicine in the county of Butler.

    Act 506 of 1872 · P.L. 542 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  65. To prohibit the spearing of fish in Le Boeaf lake, in Waterford township, Erie couuty.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 544 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  66. To repeal an act, entitled '«An Act to extend to Montour county the provisions of an act piving hdunty on fi>x. mink and polecat scnlps, in thecountvof Northumhfirland, approved April sixth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy," approved the twentieth «iay of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 544 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  67. Relative to roads in Smith township, Washington county, Pennsylvania.

    Act 509 of 1872 · P.L. 545 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  68. To incorporate the Danville Iron Company.

    Act 510 of 1872 · P.L. 547 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  69. To i>r'^vide for the protection of fish in the West Branch of French creek, in the county of Erie.

    Act 511 of 1872 · P.L. 549 · 1872 · Scanned page

  70. To prevent swine from running at large in the townships of Benton and Fishing Creek, and in the town of Light Street, Columbia county.

    Act 512 of 1872 · P.L. 550 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  71. To incorporate the West Branch and Lumberman's Exchange.

    Act 513 of 1872 · P.L. 551 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  72. To incorporate the Sharon Driving Park Association, in the county of Mercer.

    Act 514 of 1872 · P.L. 553 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  73. To enable the borough of Danville, in the county of Montour, to establish water works.

    Act 515 of 1872 · P.L. 555 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  74. Supplement to an act, entitled "A supplement to an act for the better management of the Allegheny County prison, ".approved the first day of February, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 517 of 1872 · P.L. 559 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  75. To extend the provisions of an act to amend the fee bill, as to constables, in the city of Philadelphia, approved the third day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, to the city of Pittsburg and county of Allegheny.

    Act 518 of 1872 · P.L. 562 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  76. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Fidelity Insurance, Trust and Safe Deposit Company of the city of Philadelphia, passed the twenty-second day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, authorizing an increase of the capital stock of said company.

    Act 519 of 1872 · P.L. 562 · March 25, 1872 · Scanned page

  77. To an net, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Eddy Run Improvement Company," approved the thirteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 563 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  78. To incorporate the Enterprise Savings Bank of Allegheny.

    Act 521 of 1872 · P.L. 565 · March 25, 1872 · Scanned page

  79. To repeal the fourth section of an act, entitled "A supplement to the Milford and Matamoras Railroad Company," approved April sixth, one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 522 of 1872 · P.L. 567 · March 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  80. To repeal an act, entitled "An Act to provide for the election of road commissioners and treasurers, and the collection of road taxes in the townships of Kingston, Exeter and Franklin, in the county of Luzerre." approved the eleventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, so far as the same relates to the township of Kingston.

    Act 523 of 1872 · P.L. 568 · March 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  81. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act dividing the Twentieth ward of the city of Philadelphia, and creating a new ward to be known as the Twentyninth ward," approved the twenty-third day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 524 of 1872 · P.L. 569 · March 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  82. To enable George W. Steele, Albert A. Hopper and John Hopper, trustees of the Passaic Oil Company, to convey certain land in Venango county free fromliability to escheat.

    Act 525 of 1872 · P.L. 569 · March 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  83. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Northern Saving Fund, Safe Deposit and Trust Company of the city of Philadelphia, approved the fourteenth day of June, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventyone.

    Act 526 of 1872 · P.L. 570 · 1872 · Scanned page

  84. Extending the provisions of the act of the eleventh of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, relative to the fees of county treasurers in Luzerne and Clearfield to the county of Lycoming.

    Act 527 of 1872 · P.L. 571 · March 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  85. Preamble. lucorporation. Upou acceptauce of act, property of old corporation to be vested In isew. Articles of govei'uruent. Name and object. ^ ^uppkment To an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Philadelphia Association for the Kehef of Disabled Firemen," approved the twcntj'-tifth day of March, Anno Domini one tliousand right hundred and thirty-five, changing the object of said

    Act 528 of 1872 · P.L. 572 · March 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  86. To incorporate the William Cramp and Sons' Ship and Engine Building Company.

    Act 529 of 1872 · P.L. 575 · March 26, 1872 · Scanned page

  87. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the borough of Columbia," approved the sixteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 530 of 1872 · P.L. 577 · March 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  88. Supplementing the charter of the Armenia Insurance Company of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. iW 9n Preamble.

    Act 532 of 1872 · P.L. 579 · March 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  89. To authorize the stockholders of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company to fix the time for holding their annual meetings and other purposes.

    Act 534 of 1872 · P.L. 584 · March 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  90. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Lewisburg Centre and Spruce Creek Railroad Company, approved April twelfth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and tifty-three, authorizing the issuing of bonds and securing the same by mortgage, and repealing the first and second sections of the supplement, approved April fifteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, to the

    Act 535 of 1872 · P.L. 584 · 1872 · Scanned page

  91. To repeal an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Dyberry Improvement Company," approved May sixth, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 536 of 1872 · P.L. 585 · March 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  92. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Young Men's Christian Association of the city of

    Act 537 of 1872 · P.L. 586 · 1872 · Scanned page

  93. To Incorporate the North Atlantic Express Company.

    Act 538 of 1872 · P.L. 586 · March 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  94. Supplement to an act, entitled «*Au Act to incorporate the Odd Fellows' Hall Association of MifiBlinto-wn, Juniata county," approved the sixth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 591 · March 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  95. To authorize the supervisors of Jackson township, Potter county, to levy an additional road tax.

    Act 542 of 1872 · P.L. 592 · March 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  96. To divorce John Nuttall and Ann, his wife.

    Act 543 of 1872 · P.L. 592 · March 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  97. To incorporato the South Side Savings Bank,

    Act 544 of 1872 · P.L. 593 · March 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  98. To authorize the city of Lancaster, to increase the corjjorate debt, for the purpose of funding the floating debt of the said city and for further improvements of their water worlds.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 595 · March 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  99. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Citizens' Passenger Railway Company of the city of Pittsburg.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 596 · March 27, 1872 · Scanned page

  100. OP THE SESSION OF 1872. 597 'So. 547. Autborizing the burgess and town councilor the borough of Manheim, to borrow money, and to regulate the levying of taxes.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 597 · March 28, 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.