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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 provide for the examination of the claims of Emanuel Peters.

    Act 915 of 1873 · P.L. 835 · April 23, 1873 · Scanned page

  2. Firat section of act of April.5, ] repealed. What goodii maylie sold by auctioneer^. ^"ot to import goods for sale. Penalty for sellini imported goods. Not to witli 0 certaii Ko. 916. Eelating to auctioneers in thec5unty of Crawford.

    Act 916 of 1873 · P.L. 836 · April 23, 1873 · Scanned page

  3. Supplement to the act incorporating the Two Lick Navigation and Improvement Company, approved tlie thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 917 of 1873 · P.L. 837 · April 21, 1873 · Scanned page

  4. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Korth Branch Passenger Railway Company of Philadelphia, approved tenth April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and lifty-eiglit, repealing restrictions as to duration of charter and limitaiion of time of completion, contained in ninth section of said act.

    Act 919 of 1873 · P.L. 838 · April 21, 1873 · Scanned page

  5. To divorce Benjamin. Pickett and Jennie, his wife.

    Act 920 of 1873 · P.L. 839 · April 23, 1873 · Scanned page

  6. Regulating tlie collection of school and poor taxes in White township, Indiana county.

    Act 921 of 1873 · P.L. 839 · April 23, 1873 · Scanned page

  7. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Black Creek Improvement Company.

    Act 922 of 1873 · P.L. 841 · 1873 · Scanned page

  8. To incorporate the Germantown Transfer Company. Section 1.

    Act 923 of 1873 · P.L. 841 · April 23, 1873 · Scanned page

  9. Supplement to an act authorizing the commissioners of the county of Perry to appropriate a certain sum of money for making a certain road in Howe township, in said county, approved March twenty-first, one thousand eight liundred and sixtyfive, authorizing and requiring the said commissioners to pay the same to Christian Hartzell, the contractor.

    Act 924 of 1873 · P.L. 843 · April 24, 1873 · Scanned page

  10. To empower the burgess and town council of the borough of North East to borrow money, to prescribe and establish fire limits in said borough, and collect for grading and building of side-walks, and for other purposes. Anthorized to

    Act 925 of 1873 · P.L. 844 · April 24, 1873 · Scanned page

  11. Appointing auditors to audit thepaj'ments made, and inquire into and report upon the expenses incurred by the borough of Lebanon in the introduction of water into said borough, and audit the borough accounts generally.

    Act 920 of 1873 · P.L. 845 · April 24, 1873 · Scanned page

  12. Supplementary to the act to incorporate the North Atlantic Express Company, approved March twenty-seventh, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, conferring npon said company all the rights and privileges in an act to incorporate the American Immigration and Land Company, apx^roved April fourth, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.

    Act 927 of 1873 · P.L. 847 · April 23, 1873 · Scanned page

  13. To incorporate the Waynesboro' Bank.

    Act 929 of 1873 · P.L. 848 · April 12, 1873 · Scanned page

  14. Authorizing and requiring tlie state treasurer to refund certain moneys.

    Act 930 of 1873 · P.L. 852 · April 24, 1873 · Scanned page

  15. To incorporate the Erie Transfer Company.

    Act 931 of 1873 · P.L. 852 · April 25, 1873 · Scanned page

  16. Relating to the December Oil Company, and giving jurisdiction to the courts to settle and wind up the same.

    Act 932 of 1873 · P.L. 854 · April 24, 1873 · Scanned page

  17. To alter and regulate curb lines and heights, also to make uniform and determine widths of footways in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 933 of 1873 · P.L. 854 · April 28, 1873 · Scanned page

  18. To authorize Charles J. Conrad, trustee, to sell certain school real estate in Lower Augusta township, Northumberland county.

    Act 935 of 1873 · P.L. 855 · April 28, 1873 · Scanned page

  19. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Depot Bridge Company of Pittston, Pennsylvania, approved tlie eighteenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight liuudred and sixty-eight.

    Act 936 of 1873 · P.L. 856 · April 28, 1873 · Scanned page

  20. To revise the line of Mantua avenue in the Twenty-fourth ward, city of Philadelphia.

    Act 937 of 1873 · P.L. 856 · April 28, 1873 · Scanned page

  21. Supplementary to an act, entitled "An Act relative to turnpike and plankroad comimnies, iu the city of Philadelphia," approved the twenty-fourth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 938 of 1873 · P.L. 857 · April 28, 1873 · Scanned page

  22. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Citizens' Passenger Railway Company of Pliiladelphia," authorizing them to extend their tracks southwardly on Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth streets.

    Act 539 of 1873 · P.L. 858 · April 24, 1873 · Scanned page

  23. To incorporate the Equity Improvement Company.

    Act 940 of 1873 · P.L. 858 · April 28, 1873 · Scanned page

  24. To perfect the title to Killbuck island, at the head of the Ohio river, north and west of the Point in the city of Pittsburg, authorizing and directing the surveyor general to issue a patent therefor.

    Act 941 of 1873 · P.L. 860 · April 28, 1873 · Scanned page

  25. To incorporate the Examiner Publisliing Company of Philadelphia.

    Act 942 of 1873 · P.L. 862 · April 28, 1873 · Scanned page

  26. To authorize the construction of a bridge over Redbank creelc, at or near the Big Bend on said creek, in Armstrong and Clarion counties. CoDstructiin of

    Act 943 of 1873 · P.L. 863 · April 29, 1873 · Scanned page

  27. To incorporate the Savings and Deposit Bank of Anuville, Pennsylvania.

    Act 944 of 1873 · P.L. 864 · April 30, 1873 · Scanned page

  28. To incorporate the Bardine Summer Home Association of Loretto Springs, in the county of Cambria.

    Act 946 of 1873 · P.L. 870 · April 30, 1873 · Scanned page

  29. Supplementary to an act to incorporate the New Carriers' Company, approved twenty-sixth of May, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, prescribing a method of organizing the same, and enlarging the powers thereof.

    Act 947 of 1873 · P.L. 872 · April 30, 1873 · Scanned page

  30. To incorporate the Pythian Mutual Life Association of Pennsylvania.

    Act 948 of 1873 · P.L. 873 · April 30, 1873 · Scanned page

  31. To authorize an increase of the capital stock of the New Yorli and Cleveland Gas Coal Company.

    Act 950 of 1873 · P.L. 875 · April 30, 1873 · Scanned page

  32. To incorporate the Carbon Trust and Safe Deposit Company.

    Act 951 of 1873 · P.L. 875 · May 7, 1873 · Scanned page

  33. To incorporate the Pennsylvania Real Estate Association, to be located in the countv of Crawford. Corporators Title. Privili Capital stock. May issue bonds

    Act 952 of 1873 · P.L. 876 · May 8, 1873 · Scanned page

  34. To incorporate the Scranton Opera House Company.

    Act 953 of 1873 · P.L. 877 · May 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  35. Supplement to an act relative to the appointment of superintendent of highways in the Twenty-second ward, Philadelphia, approved March eighteenth, eighteen hrindred and sixty-nine. ori.'iuaiact notto

    Act 954 of 1873 · P.L. 880 · 1873 · Scanned page

  36. To annul the marriage contract tetween John Setzer and Mary Ann Setzer.

    Act 956 of 1873 · P.L. 881 · 1873 · Scanned page

  37. Supplementary to an act innorporating the Franklin Sewing Machine Company, approved twentyseventh February, Anno Pomini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, adding corporators and defining powers of corporators, directors and company. Additional

    Act 957 of 1873 · P.L. 882 · 1873 · Scanned page

  38. Supplement to the act incorporating the New Castle and Franklin Railroad Company', approved March twenty-fifth. Anno Domini one thousand eight huudrtd and sixtyfour.

    Act 958 of 1873 · P.L. 882 · May 17, 1873 · Scanned page

  39. To provide for the opening of Forty-third street from Chestnut street to Market street, Forty-fifth street from WalDut street to Market street, and Forty-seventh street from Walnut street to Market street, in the Twenty-seventh ward, of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 959 of 1873 · P.L. 883 · May 17, 1873 · Scanned page

  40. To incorporate the Manayunk and Roxborough Inclined Plane and Railway Company.

    Act 960 of 1873 · P.L. 883 · April 9, 1873 · Scanned page

  41. To provide for the appointment of a board of fishery commissioners, for the construction of fishways, and for the protection and propagation of fish, and appropriating money for the same.

    Act 59 of 1873 · P.L. 886 · 1873 · Scanned page

  42. Authorizing the payment of witnesses and necess ary expenses in the contested election cases now pending in the house of

    Act 4 of 1873 · P.L. 893 · February 21, 1873 · Scanned page

  43. To provide for the payment of the costs in the investigation of the rilleged altering of the bill to pay policemen in the city of Philadelphia,

    Act 5 of 1873 · P.L. 893 · March 7, 1873 · Scanned page

  44. Relative to the publication of acts of assembly. Portion of enacting

    Act 6 of 1873 · P.L. 894 · March 14, 1873 · Scanned page

  45. No. f 0i)rt ^vc^oIntMW InstructiDg our senators and requesting our representatives ia congress to vote against any bill autiiorizing the national government to assume control of the telegraphic lines of the country, or empowering the government to construct telegraphic lines.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 895 · March 28, 1873 · Scanned page

  46. Relative to the pay, extra pay and mileage of late and contesting members of the house of representatives and ihe clerks of the several coniinitiecs arawu to try the contested election cases.

    Act 9 of 1873 · P.L. 895 · 1873 · Scanned page

  47. For completing the fitting np of the room in the capitol building for the preservation and display of the battle flags.

    Act 10 of 1873 · P.L. 896 · April 9, 1873 · Scanned page

  48. To pay the expenses of the funeral of Henry J. Mason, late stenographic reporter of the legislative journal.

    Act 11 of 1873 · P.L. 896 · April 9, 1873 · Scanned page

  49. Relative to the pay of D. S. Elliott, clerk to the local judiciary committee of the house of representatives.

    Act 12 of 1873 · P.L. 897 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  50. For the settlement of certain claims arising under contracts concerning the soldiers' orphan school at Titusviile.

    Act 14 of 1873 · P.L. 898 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  51. To incorporate the Philadelphia Conservatory of Arts.

    Act 963 of 1873 · P.L. 900 · 1873 · Scanned page

  52. To incorporate the Steuben Insurance Company.

    Act 964 of 1873 · P.L. 900 · 1873 · Scanned page

  53. To incorporate the Northern Bible Union.

    Act 965 of 1873 · P.L. 901 · 1873 · Scanned page

  54. To incorporate the Grant Land and Improvement Company.

    Act 968 of 1873 · P.L. 905 · 1873 · Scanned page

  55. To incorporate the American Home.

    Act 970 of 1873 · P.L. 907 · 1873 · Scanned page

  56. To incorporate the Monument Insurance Company.

    Act 971 of 1873 · P.L. 909 · 1873 · Scanned page

  57. To authorize James F. Wood, bishop of Philadelphia, to sell certain real estate situate in Northampton county.

    Act 973 of 1873 · P.L. 911 · 1873 · Scanned page

  58. To incorporate the Bethlehem Street Railway Company.

    Act 974 of 1873 · P.L. 911 · 1873 · Scanned page

  59. To incorporate the Savings Fire and Marine Inaarance Companj^ of Pittsburg.

    Act 975 of 1873 · P.L. 913 · 1873 · Scanned page

  60. Supplement to an act incorporating the Chartiers Valley Railroad Company.

    Act 976 of 1873 · P.L. 914 · March 6, 1873 · Scanned page

  61. Supplement to an act to authorize the Cranberry Coal Company to construct a railroad.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 916 · 1873 · Scanned page

  62. To incorporate the People's Saving Fund, Insurance, Trust and Safe Deposit company. Corporators,

    Act 979 of 1873 · P.L. 916 · 1873 · Scanned page

  63. Entitled "An Act to incorporate the Excelsior Gold and Silver Mining Company of Colorado.

    Act 980 of 1873 · P.L. 918 · April 10, 1873 · Scanned page

  64. To incorporate the Capitol Savings Fund, Insurance, Trust and Safe Deposit Company.

    Act 981 of 1873 · P.L. 919 · 1873 · Scanned page

  65. To incorporate the Monocacy Iron and Steel Company,

    Act 984 of 1873 · P.L. 922 · 1873 · Scanned page

  66. To incorporate the Somerset Land Company.

    Act 985 of 1873 · P.L. 924 · April 12, 1873 · Scanned page

  67. To incorporate the Riverside Coal Company.

    Act 986 of 1873 · P.L. 924 · 1873 · Scanned page

  68. Supplement to an act incorporating the Excelsior Gold and Silver Mining Company of Colorado, approved tlie tenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 988 of 1873 · P.L. 928 · 1873 · Scanned page

  69. To exempt from taxation, out-lot number one hundred and eleven, in the borough of South Erie, belonging to Saint John's church and congregation.

    Act 989 of 1873 · P.L. 928 · March 2, 1873 · Scanned page

  70. Supplement to the act incorporating tlie Amateurs' Drawing Room Association of the city of Philadelphia, approved the eighth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 990 of 1873 · P.L. 929 · 1873 · Scanned page

  71. To incorporate the South Side Railroad Company.

    Act 992 of 1873 · P.L. 931 · 1873 · Scanned page

  72. Supplementary to an act to incorporate the Pennsylvania Musical Institute of Philadelphia, approved the twenty-first day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, changing the time of election of managers from the first Monday in May to the first Monday in January of each year.

    Act 993 of 1873 · P.L. 933 · 1873 · Scanned page

  73. Supplement to an act to incorporate the South Mountain Railroad Company.

    Act 994 of 1873 · P.L. 934 · 1873 · Scanned page

  74. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Somerset Land Companj', approved the nineteenth April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven. iioiizLd to

    Act 995 of 1873 · P.L. 934 · 1873 · Scanned page

  75. To incorporate the Lancaster County Insurance, Trust and Safe Deposit Company.

    Act 996 of 1873 · P.L. 935 · 1873 · Scanned page

  76. To authorize the Associate Congregation, in the city of Philadelphia, to sell and convey certain real estate.

    Act 1000 of 1873 · P.L. 939 · 1873 · Scanned page

  77. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Ridge Avenue and Manayunk Passenger Railway Company, approved March twenty-eighth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.

    Act 1001 of 1873 · P.L. 940 · 1873 · Scanned page

  78. Authorizing the Cranberry Coal Company to buy and sell coal.

    Act 1002 of 1873 · P.L. 940 · 1873 · Scanned page

  79. To incorporate the Vallej' Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company ^ of Luzerne county.

    Act 1003 of 1873 · P.L. 941 · 1873 · Scanned page

  80. To annul the marriage contract between Frank Barrett and Elizabeth, his wife.

    Act 1004 of 1873 · P.L. 944 · 1873 · Scanned page

  81. To incorporate the Juniata and Potomac Railroad Company.

    Act 1007 of 1873 · P.L. 947 · 1873 · Scanned page

  82. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Monongahela "Valley Railroad Company," approved the eighth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, to fix the number of ofiBcers and the time of their election.

    Act 1008 of 1873 · P.L. 948 · 1873 · Scanned page

  83. To incorporate the Erie County Telegraph Company,

    Act 1009 of 1873 · P.L. 948 · 1873 · Scanned page

  84. To incorporate the Mechanics' Life Insurance and Trust Company of Schuylkill county.

    Act 1010 of 1873 · P.L. 949 · 1873 · Scanned page

  85. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Somerset Laud Company," approved the twelfth April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 1013 of 1873 · P.L. 951 · 1873 · Scanned page

  86. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Caledonia and South Mountain Railroad Company.

    Act 1014 of 1873 · P.L. 951 · 1873 · Scanned page

  87. To legalize the capital stock of the Homestead Building and Savings Association, and the Schiller Building and Savings Association of the city of Reading, Berks county.

    Act 1015 of 1873 · P.L. 953 · 1873 · Scanned page

  88. Supplement to an act incorporating the Bethlehem Street Railway Company, approved April twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 1016 of 1873 · P.L. 953 · 1873 · Scanned page

  89. To exempt certain property of the Sisters of Charity, in the city of Erie, from taxation.

    Act 1011 of 1873 · P.L. 954 · March 9, 1873 · Scanned page

  90. To incorporate the Philadelphia Masonic Manufacturing and Publishing Company.

    Act 1018 of 1873 · P.L. 954 · 1873 · Scanned page

  91. To incorporate the Empire Contract Company and define the powers thereof.

    Act 1019 of 1873 · P.L. 955 · 1873 · Scanned page

  92. To incorporate the Bethlehem Trust and Safe Deposit Company.

    Act 1020 of 1873 · P.L. 956 · May 4, 1873 · Scanned page

  93. To incorporate the West Ward Passenger Railway Company in Northampton County. Privileges. Capital stock.

    Act 1022 of 1873 · P.L. 958 · 1873 · Scanned page

  94. To incorporate the Central Insurance, Trust and Safe Deposit Company, of Pennsylvania.

    Act 1023 of 1873 · P.L. 959 · 1873 · Scanned page

  95. To incorporate the Beaver Printing Company.

    Act 1024 of 1873 · P.L. 960 · 1873 · Scanned page

  96. To incorporate the Southern Improvement Company.

    Act 1026 of 1873 · P.L. 961 · 1873 · Scanned page

  97. To incorporate the Sewickley Gas Company of Sewickley, Allegheny county Pennsylvania.

    Act 1027 of 1873 · P.L. 962 · 1873 · Scanned page

  98. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Pennsylv.inia Boiler Insurance Company," approved third day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act of 1873 · P.L. 963 · 1873 · Scanned page

  99. To incorporate the Standard Coal Company.

    Act 1030 of 1873 · P.L. 965 · 1873 · Scanned page

  100. To incorporate the State Bank of Delaware County.

    Act 1032 of 1873 · P.L. 966 · 1873 · Scanned page

By decade

Constitution of 19681968–today

Constitution of 18741874–1967

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.