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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 extend to the county of Delaware an act, entitled "An Act to prevent trespassing upon railroad cars in the county of Berks,'" approved the twenty-first daj' of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 624 · 1873 · Scanned page

  2. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act relative to the Berks county prison, and to discharged convicts," approved the eighth day of Februarj-, one thousand eight liundred and forty-eight.

    Act 668 of 1873 · P.L. 625 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  3. To extend the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act to amend the road. Jaws of Damascus township, Wayne county, to Dyberry township, Wayne county.

    Act 670 of 1873 · P.L. 627 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  4. For the better maintenance of public roads in the townships of Union and North Union, in the county of Schuylkill,

    Act 671 of 1873 · P.L. 627 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  5. To regulate and direct the manner of levying, collecting and applr« ing the road tax of Buffalo township, Butler county, and for using the same in the repair and construction of the roads in said township.

    Act 672 of 1873 · P.L. 628 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  6. Authorizing justices of the peace in and for the township of Tioga, in the county of Tioga, to keep their offices in the borough of Tioga, in said county.

    Act 674 of 1873 · P.L. 629 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  7. To fix the compensation of the assessors and assistant assessors in the county of Cumberland.

    Act 675 of 1873 · P.L. 630 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  8. To extend the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act to increase the fees of notaries public in the county of Northampton," approved the twenty-fourth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, to the county of Luzerne.

    Act 676 of 1873 · P.L. 630 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  9. To authorize the borough authorities of Mount Pleasant borough, Westmoreland county, to borrow naoney, issue bonds, and to increase the rate of taxation so as not to exceed ten mills on the dollar.

    Act 677 of 1873 · P.L. 631 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  10. To authorize the erection of a lock-up in the village of Nesquehoning, Mauch Chunk township, Carbon county.

    Act 678 of 1873 · P.L. 631 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  11. Relating to duties of register in and for the counties of Bedford and Fulton. rentorios and jraisementg to recorded. Commissioners to lurnish blank Vtooks.

    Act 679 of 1873 · P.L. 632 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  12. To fix the pay of supervisors of roads in Barrett township, Monroe county.

    Act 680 of 1873 · P.L. 633 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  13. Authorizing the borough of Parnassus, in the county of Westmoreland, to borrow money.

    Act 681 of 1873 · P.L. 633 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  14. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to permit cripples to peddle by procuririf?.i license therefor, in the county of Luzerne," approved the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, defining the manner in -which such license to peddle shall he hereafter granted.

    Act 684 of 1873 · P.L. 635 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  15. Relative to the assessments of poor taxes in the county of

    Act 688 of 1873 · P.L. 637 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  16. To authorize the school directors of the borough of Riverside, in the county of Northumberland, to borrow money and levy an additional tax. Authorized to

    Act 689 of 1873 · P.L. 638 · 1873 · Scanned page

  17. For the paj'ment of a pension to Mrs. Rebecca Knott, widow of Cai*tain Wilson Knott, a soldier of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

    Act 690 of 1873 · P.L. 639 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  18. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to divide the borqugh of Towamia, Brailford count3-, into three wards," approved the twenty-eighth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two. and to provide for an additional constable in said borough.

    Act 691 of 1873 · P.L. 639 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  19. To empower the court of common pleas of Lancaster county to order the sale of the Ashville meeting house property.

    Act 692 of 1873 · P.L. 640 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  20. Relating to costs in criminal proceedings in the county of York. WuEREAs, In criminal prosecutions the county of York is not now legally liable to pay costs in case of conviction until SESSION OF 1873. 641 the defendant has served out his sentence and been discharged according to law without payment of costs, by reason whereof officers and witnesses are long delayed in recovering their fees,

    Act 693 of 1873 · P.L. 640 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  21. To authorize the school directors of Wayne township, Armstrong county, to levy and collect a tax, and pay certain bounty indebtedness.

    Act 694 of 1873 · P.L. 641 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  22. To extend the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act to ascertain and. appoint the fees to be received by the several officers of this commonwealth," approved April second, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, to the county of Montgomery.

    Act 695 of 1873 · P.L. 641 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  23. To extend the provisions of the general borough laws of this commonwealth to the borougn of Troy, in the county of Bradford, and to legalize certain acts done in pursuance thereof.

    Act 696 of 1873 · P.L. 642 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  24. To authorize the borough of Verona to borrow money for borough purposes.

    Act 698 of 1873 · P.L. 644 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  25. To establish uniform building lines on Ash street, in the city of Reading, Berks county.

    Act 699 of 1873 · P.L. 644 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  26. To erect an independent school district from a part of the townships of Beech Creek and Keating, in the county of Clinton, and part of Burnside township, in Centre county.

    Act 700 of 1873 · P.L. 645 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  27. Relative to the storage of powder, et cetera, in the several townships of Cambria county.

    Act 701 of 1873 · P.L. 647 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  28. To extend the provisions of an act regulating party walls in the city of Erie, to the city of Cony, in Erie county.

    Act 702 of 1873 · P.L. 647 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  29. Relating to fines, jury fees, et cetera, due and payable to the county of Cambria.

    Act 703 of 1873 · P.L. 647 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  30. For the protection of sheep in Wa^me county.

    Act 704 of 1873 · P.L. 648 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  31. To prevent cattle, sheep and swine from running at large in certain districts of Butler and Lawrence counties.

    Act 705 of 1873 · P.L. 650 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  32. To prevent cattle, horses, sheep, mules and swine from running at large in North Moreland, South Eaton, Eaton township, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania.

    Act 706 of 1873 · P.L. 651 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  33. Extending the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act relating to dogs in Allegheny, Chester, Northampton, Schuylkill and Lancaster counties," approved April sixth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, to the county of Perry.

    Act 707 of 1873 · P.L. 652 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  34. Supplement to an act relating to the taxes assessed upon dogs in the county o^ Clinton, appropriating said taxes to school purposes.

    Act 708 of 1873 · P.L. 652 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  35. To prevent fishing in the Tiffany pond, in Susquehanna county.

    Act 709 of 1873 · P.L. 653 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  36. To authorize Daciel Rose, John Schleigel and Solomon Billman, as trustees, to sell and convey certain real estate in the township of Washington, county of Northumberland.

    Act 710 of 1873 · P.L. 654 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  37. To authorize Peter J. Little, a justice of the peace, to reside in the borough of Loretio, Cambria county, and act as justice of the peace in and for the township of Allegheny, in said county, for two years from March fourteen, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.

    Act 711 of 1873 · P.L. 655 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  38. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to extend the provisions of an act for the protection of sheep in certain counties,'" approved eighth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, to the counties of Armstrong and Westmoreland," approved April tliird, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, to apply the proceeds of tax on dogs in Westmoreland county pro rata,

    Act 712 of 1873 · P.L. 655 · 1873 · Scanned page

  39. To legalize the bonds issued by the school directors of the township of Packer, in the county of Carbon.

    Act 713 of 1873 · P.L. 656 · 1873 · Scanned page

  40. To incorporate the r>radford Railroad Company.

    Act 114 of 1873 · P.L. 657 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  41. 715. rlelating to the payment of election boards holding elections for school directors in the independent school districts, in the county of Wyoming.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 659 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  42. Gut ^ti yi punish persons for carrying concealed weapons in the county of Northampton.

    Act 716 of 1873 · P.L. 659 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  43. Authorizing the school directors of the borough of Sanbury to borrow money and issue bonds therqfor. Authorized to borruw money aud isauo bonds Repealled; cliiu

    Act 717 of 1873 · P.L. 660 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  44. To authorize tho more prompt collection of taxes in the county of Cumberland. of county

    Act 718 of 1873 · P.L. 661 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  45. Re'iating to the return days of the several courts of Dauphin county.

    Act 720 of 1873 · P.L. 664 · 1873 · Scanned page

  46. Extending the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act relating to boarding-house keepers in the county of Allegheny," approved March sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, to Westmoreland county.

    Act 721 of 1873 · P.L. 665 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  47. To enable the school directors of the borough of Lewisville, in the county of Potter, to establish a graded school, and to authorize the trustees of the Ulysses academy, to convey certain real estate to said school district.

    Act 724 of 1873 · P.L. 666 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  48. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Fanners' and Miners' Railroad Company," approved the seventeenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 725 of 1873 · P.L. 667 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  49. Extending to the township of CoUey, in the county of Sullivan, the provisions of an act relative to road laws, approveii fourteenth Februarj', one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 668 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  50. authorize the school directors of Penn township, in the county of Allegheny, to levy and coUeci a special tax for the purpose of erecting a town

    Act 127 of 1873 · P.L. 668 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  51. Relating to the duties of the prothonotaries, registers and recorders of Erie county, directing the manner of keeping judgment doclvets and indexes in their respective offices.

    Act 728 of 1873 · P.L. 669 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  52. Authorizing the city of Altoona to charge lot owners with water rates

    Act 730 of 1873 · P.L. 670 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  53. Authorizing the city of Altoona to borrow money.

    Act 731 of 1873 · P.L. 671 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  54. Appointing commissioners to ran and establish tlio line between tiio counties of "Warren and M'Kean, and for other purposes.

    Act 732 of 1873 · P.L. 673 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  55. For the relief of James Downey, of Indiana countv.

    Act 733 of 1873 · P.L. 673 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  56. To extend the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act relative to liverystable keepers in the counties of Allegheny, Butler and Westmoreland," to Northumberland county.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 674 · 1873 · Scanned page

  57. To incorporate the Miners' Savings Bank, to be located at Summit Hill, Carbon county.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 674 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  58. Relating to the election of councilnien in the borough of Cambria, in the county of Cambria.

    Act 736 of 1873 · P.L. 677 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  59. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act giving a bounty on fox scalps in the county of Dcauphin," approved tbe twenty-seventh day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, extending the same to the county of Butler.

    Act 737 of 1873 · P.L. 678 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  60. To prevent swine from running at large in the townships of Greenwood and Orange, in the county of Columbia.

    Act 738 of 1873 · P.L. 678 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  61. Relating to the Chester and Delaware Iliver Railroad Company, in the county of Delaware, confirming privileges heretofore granted by the city of Chester, and giving authority for granting further privileges. Certain priviief'es

    Act 739 of 1873 · P.L. 678 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  62. To amend the charter of the borough of Latrobe, in the county of "Westmoreland, in reference to the making and constructing of sewers and drains.

    Act 740 of 1873 · P.L. 679 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  63. Relating to boroughs in Somerset county.

    Act 741 of 1873 · P.L. 680 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  64. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Point Breeze Park Association, approved February eighth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, (1855.) May sell stock at

    Act 742 of 1873 · P.L. 680 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  65. Supplement to an act incorporating the House of Refuge of Western Pennsylvania, approved April twenty-second, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty, to confirm the purchase of certain real estate in Washington county, by the said House of Refuge, (now Pennsylvania Reform School,) and to authorize the board of directors of said Pennsylvania Reform School to execute bonds and mortgages.

    Act 743 of 1873 · P.L. 681 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  66. For the protection of farmers against the ravages of wild cats, minks and foxes, in the county of Franklin.

    Act 744 of 1873 · P.L. 682 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  67. Supplement To an act, entitled "An Act to organize the Middle Coal Field poor district,' approved the twenty-fifch day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.

    Act 145 of 1873 · P.L. 683 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  68. To authorize the commissioners of roads and highways of the township of Ridgebnry, in the county of Bradford, to erect a town hall for public purposes.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 684 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  69. To repeal the second section of an act, entitled "x\.n Act relative to the jurisdiction of justices of the peace, mayor and burgess in Erie county, and relative to appeals therefrom.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 685 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  70. Supplementary to the act incorporating the borough of Easton, authorizing the town council to borrow

    Act 748 of 1873 · P.L. 685 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  71. Supplement to an act, entitled "Au Act relating to indexes to be kept in the public offices of Bradford countj-," approved the twenty-sixth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 749 of 1873 · P.L. 686 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  72. Allowing to school teachers their time and pay whilst attending the county institute of teachers in Dauphin and Fulton counties.

    Act 751 of 1873 · P.L. 687 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  73. Relating to the destruction of noxious animals, in ttic county ot Lj'coming.

    Act 753 of 1873 · P.L. 689 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  74. Relating to levying and collecting school taxes and issuing school bonds in the city of Titusville.

    Act 755 of 1873 · P.L. 690 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  75. To extend the limits of the borough of Smetbport, in the county of

    Act 756 of 1873 · P.L. 690 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  76. To change the name of Wayne borough, in the county of Wayne.

    Act 757 of 1873 · P.L. 692 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  77. To authorise the supervisors of roads of the townshio of Eiilalia, in the couut^'' of Potter, to levy an additional tax for road purposes.

    Act 758 of 1873 · P.L. 692 · 1873 · Scanned page

  78. Supplement to an act, entitlpcl "An Act relating to road laws in Delaware count_v,'' approved the twelfth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 693 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  79. To incorporate the Salem rope or wire ferry company over the Susquehanna river, at Beach Haven.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 694 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  80. To extend the road laws of Bradford county to the townships of M'- Intyre and Lewis, in the county of Lycoming.

    Act 762 of 1873 · P.L. 696 · 1873 · Scanned page

  81. For the relief of Mary A.

    Act 763 of 1873 · P.L. 696 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  82. To authorize Elwood Tyson, Thomas Chalkly Jones and Samuel W. Noble, survivinpf trustees, all of Abiiigton township, in the county of Montgomery, to sell and convey certain real estate.

    Act 764 of 1873 · P.L. 697 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  83. To vacate parts of Spruce alley, Green street, Hazle street and Mill street, in the borough of Hazleton, Luzerne county.

    Act 765 of 1873 · P.L. 698 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  84. To provide additional return days for the county of Forest.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 699 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  85. To prevent stallions, bulls, buck sheep and boars from rnnning at large in Clarion and Centre counties. statiion<, bulls,

    Act 768 of 1873 · P.L. 700 · 1873 · Scanned page

  86. To vacate a portion of the st ite road from Rimersburg borough, in the county of Clarion, to a jioint two miles within the limits of Venanfjo oouuty.

    Act 769 of 1873 · P.L. 701 · 1873 · Scanned page

  87. To enable John H. Donelson, collector of taxes in Lincoln township, Huntingdon county, to collect certain unpaid taxes.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 702 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  88. I'o authorize the school directors of the township of Zerbe, Northumberland county, to borrow money.

    Act 772 of 1873 · P.L. 703 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  89. To enable the boroughs of Sharpsburg and Etna, in the county of Alleghenj', to levy and collect a special tax for the re-bullding of the bridge across Pine creek.

    Act 773 of 1873 · P.L. 703 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  90. To Ruthorize the Bethel church of Summerhill township, in the county of Crawford, to vest the title of the real estate of said church in a board of trustees.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 704 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  91. Kelative to licenses on vehicles and dramn,iic licenses in thPi borougbs of Mansfield and Chartiers, in the county of Allegheny.

    Act 174 of 1873 · P.L. 704 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  92. Supplement to the act incorporating tlie city of Harrlsburg.

    Act 776 of 1873 · P.L. 705 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  93. In relation to the oost of sewers and the collodion thereof, in the city of Altoona.

    Act 777 of 1873 · P.L. 705 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  94. To authorize the borough of Media, Delaware county, to borrow money.

    Act 780 of 1873 · P.L. 708 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  95. Relative to the coroner of Northumberland county.

    Act 781 of 1873 · P.L. 708 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  96. To incorporate the Aesthetic Club of Philadelphia.

    Act 782 of 1873 · P.L. 709 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  97. To amend the charter of tho St^te Normal School of the Fifth district, at Mansfield.

    Act 784 of 1873 · P.L. 711 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  98. To repeal an act, entitled ''An Act relating to sheriff's sales of real estate in the county of Allegheny, providing for the appraisement of tlie same before sale, and giving the right to redeem," approved February twenty-fifih, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.

    Act 785 of 1873 · P.L. 712 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  99. SESSION OP 1873. 713 No. T86. Autliorizing the borough of Renovo to borrow money for school purposes, and issue bonds therefor for building purposes.

    Act 786 of 1873 · P.L. 713 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  100. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Shamokin Life Insurance and Trust Company.

    Act 787 of 1873 · P.L. 713 · April 12, 1873 · Scanned page

By decade

Constitution of 19681968–today

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Constitution of 18381838–1873

Constitution of 17901790–1837

Constitution of 17761776–1789

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.