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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. Vacating portion of East allej^ in the plan of out-lots of the borough of Beaver, Beaver county.

    Act 548 of 1872 · P.L. 598 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  2. To incorporate the Ingham Springs Boarding House Company.

    Act 549 of 1872 · P.L. 598 · 1872 · Scanned page

  3. No. 55a. rowers of directors. M<ay make and sell articles of Jiiamifn,cture. ^ ^«pplcmtnt Toanact, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Allegheny Car antlTransportation Compan}-," approved May twelve, Anno Domini one thou, sand eight hundred and seventj'-one.

    Act 550 of 1872 · P.L. 600 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  4. To incorporate the Dunbar Iron Company.

    Act 551 of 1872 · P.L. 601 · March 23, 1872 · Scanned page

  5. To incorporate the Hanover Junction and Susquehanna Eailroad Company.

    Act 552 of 1872 · P.L. 602 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  6. To enable the school directors of the Ninth ward, in the cit}' of Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny, to borrow money.

    Act 553 of 1872 · P.L. 604 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  7. For the change of lines and location on Water street, in the borough of Birmingham.

    Act 554 of 1872 · P.L. 605 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  8. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Germantown, Roxborough and Bristol Mutual Fire Insurance Company, in the county of Philadelphia,'" approved the fifteenth day of April, 1853, and to an act, entitled "An Act to amend and extend the charter of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Germanto-vvn, and its vicinity," approved the tenth 'day of February, A. D. one thousand

    Act 557 of 1872 · P.L. 608 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  9. To incorporate the Pennsylvania Employment Bureau of Philadelphia.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 609 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  10. Authorizing the borou2:h council of the borough of West Pittston, Perin<«ylvania. to purchase the water-works and iuiproveinents of the West Pittston Water Company, also to make all necessary improvements and extension required, to borrow money, and to appoint commissioners to carry out said object.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 611 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  11. To authorize the trustees of Old Columbia Public Ground Company to sell or lease their real estate.

    Act 562 of 1872 · P.L. 613 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  12. To incorporate the Ursuline Young Ladies' Academy.

    Act 563 of 1872 · P.L. 613 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  13. Authorizing the borough of Media to raise tl:e dam on fliiile^' creelv, liiteacled to supply the said borough with water.

    Act 564 of 1872 · P.L. 615 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  14. To change the title of tlie Willow Bank and Burns Spring Railroad Company.

    Act 565 of 1872 · P.L. 615 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  15. Relative to sewerage, macadamizing and paving streets and assessments in the city of Lancaster.

    Act 566 of 1872 · P.L. 616 · 1872 · Scanned page

  16. To incorporate the Hamburg Iron Company.

    Act 567 of 1872 · P.L. 618 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  17. Authorizing the National Tube Company of Massachusetts to purchase and hold real estate in the borough of M'Keesport, Allegheny county.

    Act 568 of 1872 · P.L. 620 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  18. To incorporate the Monoiigahela Gas Company in the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 569 of 1872 · P.L. 621 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  19. To divide the borough of Towanda, Bradford county, into three wards, et cetera. Divided into three wards. First ward. Second ward. Third ward. Wards separate election districts. Court to fix place of holding eUetlons. Representation in council. How council to organize, Ac.

    Act 570 of 1872 · P.L. 622 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  20. To incorporate the Board of Foreign Missions of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States of America.

    Act 571 of 1872 · P.L. 623 · 1872 · Scanned page

  21. Providing for the examination and payment of the claim of George M.

    Act 572 of 1872 · P.L. 624 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  22. To repeal so much of the third section of an act provitiincr for the taking of game, approved the twenty-tirst day of April, one thousand eight humired and sixty-nine, as relates to fox squirrel and grey squirrel •within the townships of Giluiore, Wayne, Spring Hill, Alleppo and Jackson, in Greene county.

    Act 573 of 1872 · P.L. 625 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  23. To authorize tho burgess and town council of the borough of Weissport, in the county of Carbon, to erect or construe a lock-up house.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 626 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  24. To authorize the court of 03'er and terminer of Cumberland county to open the judgment in the case of the commonwealth against Paul Schoeppe, convicted of the murder of Maria M. Steineke, and to grant a new trial if the said court shall think proper.

    Act 574 of 1872 · P.L. 626 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  25. To extend to Monongahela township, in Greene county, the provisions of an act relating to the roads in Cumberland, Franklin and Centre townships, in Greene county, approved the twenty-fourth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 627 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  26. To incorporate the Beech Creek Improvement Company, in Clinton and Centre counties.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 629 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  27. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Peach Bottom Railway Companj'.

    Act 579 of 1872 · P.L. 632 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  28. Construing the act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the city of Chester," approveci the fourteenth day of February, Anuo Domini one thousanu eiyht hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 580 of 1872 · P.L. 633 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  29. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act consolidating the wards of the city of Pittsburg for educational purposes.

    Act 581 of 1872 · P.L. 633 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  30. To authorize the Columbia Water Company to borrow money and to issue bonds therofor.

    Act 582 of 1872 · P.L. 634 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  31. To incorporate the Howard Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company.

    Act 583 of 1872 · P.L. 635 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  32. To repeal an act to transfer the farm of Jacob Renner, for the purpose of taxation, from Spring Hill to Gilmore township, in Greene county.

    Act 584 of 1872 · P.L. 636 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  33. Supplementary to an act to incorporate the city of Chester, in the county of Delaware, approved February fourteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 585 of 1872 · P.L. 636 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  34. Supplementary to an act incorporating the city of Chester, In the county of Delaware, approvecl the fonrieenth day of February, Anno Domini one thouaand eight hnnared and sixty-six.

    Act 586 of 1872 · P.L. 637 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  35. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Central Land and Mining Company," approved the ninth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy.

    Act 587 of 1872 · P.L. 638 · 1872 · Scanned page

  36. Supplement to an act, entitled *'An Act to incorporate the Columbia Land and Minintj Company,"' approved the ninth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 588 of 1872 · P.L. 638 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  37. To incorporate Saint Luke's Hospital, South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

    Act 589 of 1872 · P.L. 639 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  38. For the protection of rabbits and partridges, in certain townships of Lancaster county.

    Act 592 of 1872 · P.L. 643 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  39. To increase the capital stock of the Columbia Gas Company and to give each share of stock one vote.

    Act 594 of 1872 · P.L. 646 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  40. To incorporate the Baggage Masters and Passenger Train Braliesmen Life Insurance Company of the United States.

    Act 595 of 1872 · P.L. 646 · 1872 · Scanned page

  41. Supplement to an act, entitled -'An Act to incorporate the president and managers of the Kensington and Oxford Turnpike Road Company," approved the seventeenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty-two, authorizing said company to construct a branch ro;id upon Rising Sun

    Act 596 of 1872 · P.L. 647 · 1872 · Scanned page

  42. To authorize the sale and purchase of the Ricliboroiigh and Feaslerville Turnpike Road.

    Act 597 of 1872 · P.L. 648 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  43. To authorize the councils of the city of Philadelphia to open Meadowstreet, in the Twenty-third ward.

    Act 598 of 1872 · P.L. 650 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  44. To revise the grades of a part of the Twentieth and Twenty-eighth wards of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 599 of 1872 · P.L. 650 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  45. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act authorizing the supervisor of New Castle township, Schuylkill county, to make, repair and keep in good order and condition tlie public roads, bridge^ culverts in sai<i township.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 651 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  46. To authorize the auditor general to examine and settle the accounts of Hugh B. Stein and George C.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 651 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  47. To a* act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Lancaster and Reading Narrow Gauge Railroad Company," approved May tenth, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 652 · March 28, 1872 · Scanned page

  48. Supplement to an act to incorporate the State Mutual Savings Fuud, Loau and Building Association of Philadelphia, approved the twenty-seventh day of May, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 603 of 1872 · P.L. 653 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  49. Relative to the sale of the real estate of Patrick H. Gillick, deceased, late of Kidder township, Carbon county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 655 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  50. Changing the time of holding the township and borough elections in the county of "Warren.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 656 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  51. To incorporate the Broadway Ilall Companj^ of New Brighton, Pennsylvania.

    Act 607 of 1872 · P.L. 656 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  52. Supplement to an act, passed the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thoasand eight hundred and seventy, entitled ''An Act to allow the qualified electors of Bedford county to vote for or against the sale of the present poor house property," et cetera. rrcamtoie.

    Act 608 of 1872 · P.L. 658 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  53. To authorize the Danville, Hazleton and Wilkes Barre Railroad Company to borrow money and to issue additional shares of capital stock.

    Act 609 of 1872 · P.L. 659 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  54. To incorporate the Warwick Iron Company.

    Act 610 of 1872 · P.L. 659 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  55. To provide for an additional road tax in Gir ird township, Erie county.

    Act 611 of 1872 · P.L. 661 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  56. Appointing commissioners to lay out, locate and open a state road from a point at or near the mansion house of John Albert, in Bethel township, Lebanon count}', to a point on line of lands of William Edris and David Hunsicker, m Tulpehocken township, Berks county.

    Act 612 of 1872 · P.L. 662 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  57. Relating to the return of the unseated roai tax for one thousand eight huniired and seventy-one, by the supervisors of Genesee township, Potter county.

    Act 613 of 1872 · P.L. 664 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  58. Relating to the roads of West Finley township, "Washington county.

    Act 614 of 1872 · P.L. 664 · 1872 · Scanned page

  59. Supplementary to an act, entitled "An Act appointing commissioners to lay out and construct a road from Babb's creek to the coal mines at Antrim, in Tioga county," approved the sixth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 615 of 1872 · P.L. 665 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  60. To provide for the appointment of road masters in Rockland township, Venango county.

    Act 616 of 1872 · P.L. 666 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  61. To annul the marriage contract between Ilobert Keating Lovett and Elleu Rebecca Lovett, his wife. iSection 1.

    Act 617 of 1872 · P.L. 667 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  62. To provide for the erection of a bridge across the Shickshinny creek.

    Act 618 of 1872 · P.L. 667 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  63. To extend the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act relating to roads in Worth township, Butler county,"' approved Marcli sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, to Centre township, Butler county.

    Act 619 of 1872 · P.L. 668 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  64. Supplement to an act relating to roads and elections of supervisors'in the township of East F'aliowtield. Chester county, approved the sixth of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 620 of 1872 · P.L. 669 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  65. To increase the compensation of road viewers, reviewers and surveyors, in tlie coutity of Allegheny.

    Act 621 of 1872 · P.L. 669 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  66. To incorporate the Towanda and AVysox Free Bridge Company.

    Act 622 of 1872 · P.L. 670 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  67. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act for the better protection of sheep in the county of Erie.

    Act 623 of 1872 · P.L. 671 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  68. To repeal an act, entitled "A.n Act to prevent cattle, horsps, et cetera, from running at lar^e in the counties of Erie and Crawfird," so far as they apply to milcli cows in the townships of East and West Fallowfield, in the county of

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 672 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  69. Supplementary to an act, entitled "An Act providing for the completion of a public road in the county of Tioga," passed the first day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 626 of 1872 · P.L. 673 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  70. Supplement to an act, entitled ''An Act relative to roads and public highways in Fulton and Salisbury townships, Lancaster county,'' approved March the sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, extending the same to Sadsbury township, of said county.

    Act 627 of 1872 · P.L. 673 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  71. To establish a ferry over the Monongahela river, near the mouth of Crooked run, in South Versailles township, in Allegheny county.

    Act 628 of 1872 · P.L. 674 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  72. Supplement to an act appointing commissioners to lay out and open a state road from Ridgway via Johnsonburg and Wilcox, in Elk county, to the borough of Kane, in M'Kean county, approved the sixth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 629 of 1872 · P.L. 675 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  73. To authorize the borough of Temperanceville and West Pittsburg to take possession of and use as a free public highway a portion of the Temperanceville and Noblestown plank road.

    Act 630 of 1872 · P.L. 676 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  74. Supplement To an act, entitled "An Act relating to road supervisors in West Deer towr.sbip, in the county of Allegheny,"' approved the eighteenth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 678 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  75. To incorporate the Manufitcttirers' Improvement Company.

    Act 633 of 1872 · P.L. 679 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  76. To authorize the Mineral Railroad and Mining Company to lease certain coal lands.

    Act 634 of 1872 · P.L. 681 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  77. Relating to the management of the Dauphin county prison, empowering the inspectors to send persons afflicted with contagious diseases to the poor house hospital.

    Act 635 of 1872 · P.L. 682 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  78. To extend the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act relative to public roads in Luzerne township, Fayette county," approved March eighteenth one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, to the township of Jefferson, in said countj'.

    Act 636 of 1872 · P.L. 682 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  79. La relation to county bridges in Allegheny county.

    Act 637 of 1872 · P.L. 683 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  80. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to iqcorporate the Clarion County Railroad Compan\-," approved the first day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 638 of 1872 · P.L. 683 · 1872 · Scanned page

  81. To authorize the court of quarter sessions of Alleglieny county to change the location of a portion of the Pittsburg and Noblestown plank road, in Scott township, in said county.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 684 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  82. To prohibit the taking of wild game within certain townships, in the county of Wasliington.

    Act 641 of 1872 · P.L. 686 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  83. To incorporate the Beaver MeadoAV Trout Company, in Mancliester township, Wayne county.

    Act 642 of 1872 · P.L. 687 · 1872 · Scanned page

  84. To authorize the trustees of the property belonging to the Norriatown Preparative Meeting of Friends, in the countj' of Montgomery, to convey certain real estate.

    Act 643 of 1872 · P.L. 688 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  85. To enable F. B. and A. Laughlin to keep and maintain a bridge over Mahoning creek, in Armstong county.

    Act 644 of 1872 · P.L. 689 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  86. To incorporate the New Castle Railroad ajad Mining Company.

    Act 645 of 1872 · P.L. 690 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  87. Supplement to an act relative to the collention of school tax in the township of Soleburj', Bucks county, approved the twelfth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 646 of 1872 · P.L. 694 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  88. To increase the pay of township officers in the township of Brady, in the county of Lycoming.

    Act 647 of 1872 · P.L. 695 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  89. Relative to the fees of the coroner of Berks county.

    Act 648 of 1872 · P.L. 695 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  90. To incorporate the Shoe and Leather Savings Bank of city of Pittsburg, county of Allegheny.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 697 · March 7, 1872 · Scanned page

  91. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to regulate medical practice in certain counties of this commonwealth," approved the thirty-first day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 650 of 1872 · P.L. 697 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  92. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Bell's Gap Railroad Company.

    Act of 1872 · P.L. 700 · March 29, 1872 · Scanned page

  93. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to provide for the appointment of a special detective by the district attorney of the county of Allegheny," approved the eighth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 653 of 1872 · P.L. 701 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  94. To provide for the redemption of certain bonds issued by county commissioners of Venango county.

    Act 654 of 1872 · P.L. 701 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  95. To the several acts of general assembly of this commonwealth relating to the borough of Darby, in the county of Delaware, enlarging the powers of tlie council over the streets of said borough.

    Act 655 of 1872 · P.L. 702 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  96. Authorizing the burgess and town council of the borough of Ticjioute to levy and collect additional tax for fire and police purposes.

    Act 656 of 1872 · P.L. 704 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  97. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act providing for the introduction of water into the borough of Lebanon," approved April fifteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 657 of 1872 · P.L. 704 · March 30, 1872 · Scanned page

  98. Supplementary to an act, entitled '-An Act to incorporate the city of Williamsport," which became a law the fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, limiting? the rate of taxation for citj' purposes in a portion of the Seventh ward of said city.

    Act 658 of 1872 · P.L. 705 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  99. Authorizing tho Lancaster and N-^w, Danville Turnpike Road Company to borrow inoc^y upon houds, and secure the same

    Act 659 of 1872 · P.L. 706 · April 1, 1872 · Scanned page

  100. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act relative to grading, paving, curbing and otherwise improving Troy Hill road, in the city of Allegheny," approved the tenth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 660 of 1872 · P.L. 707 · 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.