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The 1776 Philadelphia 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

73 laws of the 1750s

Province of Pennsylvania

  1. Erecting part of the province of Pennsylvania westward of Susquehanna and northward and westward of the county of York into a county (named Cumberland)

    Ch. 380 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 87 · 1750 · Original text

  2. Prohibiting the importation of Germans or other passengers in too great numbers in any one vessel

    Ch. 381 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 94 · 1750 · Original text

  3. Amending of the act entitled "An act to encourage the killing of squirrels within this province."

    Ch. 382 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 97 · 1750 · Original text

  4. Amending the laws of this province against killing of deer out of season

    Ch. 383 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 98 · 1750 · Original text

  5. Barring estates tail

    Ch. 384 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 100 · 1750 · Original text

  6. Continuance of an act of assembly of this province entitled "An act for the more easy recovery of legacies within this province."

    Ch. 385 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 101 · 1750 · Original text

  7. Continuance of an act of assembly of this province entitled "A supplementary act to the act entitled 'An act for preventing the exportation of bread and flour not merchantable and for the new appointment of officers to put the said law in execution.' "

    Ch. 386 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 102 · 1750 · Original text

  8. Explaining and ascertaining the boundary line between the counties of York and Cumberland in the province of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 387 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 105 · 1751 · Original text

  9. More effectual preventing accidents which may happen by fire and suppressing idleness, drunkenness and other debaucheries

    Ch. 388 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 108 · 1751 · Original text

  10. Better regulating the nightly watch within the city of Philadelphia and for enlightening the streets, lanes and alleys of the said city and for raising of money on the inhabitants of the said city for defraying the necessary expenses thereof

    Ch. 389 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 111 · 1751 · Original text

  11. Encourage the establishing of a hospital for the relief of the sick poor of this province and for the reception and cure of lunatics

    Ch. 390 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 128 · 1751 · Original text

  12. Repealing an act entitled "A supplement to the act entitled 'An act for imposing a duty on persons convicted of heinous crimes and to prevent poor and impotent persons being imported into this province.' "

    Ch. 391 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 131 · 1751 · Original text

  13. Erecting part of the counties of Philadelphia, Chester and Lancaster into a separate county (named Berks)

    Ch. 392 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 133 · 1752 · Original text

  14. Erecting the northwest part of Bucks into a separate county (named Northampton)

    Ch. 393 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 140 · 1752 · Original text

  15. Regulate the assize of bread

    Ch. 394 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 147 · 1752 · Original text

  16. Prevent disputes about the dates of conveyances and other instruments and writings

    Ch. 395 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 150 · 1752 · Original text

  17. Directing the choice of inspectors in the counties of Chester, Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks and Northampton

    Ch. 396 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 153 · 1752 · Original text

  18. Preventing bribery and corruption in the election of the sheriffs and coroners within this province

    Ch. 397 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 159 · 1752 · Original text

  19. Regulating and establishing fees

    Ch. 398 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 161 · 1752 · Original text

  20. Regulating attachments not exceeding 5 pounds

    Ch. 399 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 179 · 1752 · Original text

  21. Prevent the exportation of provisions, naval or warlike stores from the province to Cape Breton or to any other the dominions of the French King or places at present in possession of any of his subjects

    Ch. 400 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 184 · 1755 · Original text

  22. Continue an act entitled "An act to prevent the exportation of provisions, naval or warlike stores from the province to Cape Breton or to any other the dominions of the French King or places at present in possession of any of his subjects."

    Ch. 401 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 188 · 1755 · Original text

  23. Striking the sum of 10,000 pounds in bills of credit to exchange such of those now by law current within this province as are torn and defaced

    Ch. 402 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 189 · 1755 · Original text

  24. Extending so much of an act of Parliament entitled "An act for punishing mutiny and desertion and for the better payment of the army and their quarters" as relates to the quartering and billeting of soldiers and payment of their quarters in England

    Ch. 403 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 194 · 1755 · Original text

  25. Continue an act entitled "An act for directing the choice of inspectors in the counties of Chester, Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks and Northampton."

    Ch. 404 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 195 · 1755 · Original text

  26. Better ordering and regulating such as are willing and desirous to be united for military purposes within this province

    Ch. 405 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 197 · 1755 · Original text

  27. Granting the sum of 60,000 pounds to the King's use and striking 55,000 pounds thereof in bills of credit and provide a fund for sinking the same

    Ch. 406 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 201 · 1755 · Original text

  28. Relief of George Croghan and William Trent for and during the space of ten years

    Ch. 407 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 212 · 1755 · Original text

  29. Dispersing the inhabitants of Nova Scotia imported into this province into the several counties of Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester and Lancaster and the townships thereof and making provisions for the same

    Ch. 408 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 215 · 1756 · Original text

  30. Regulating the officers and soldiers commissionated and raised by the governor for the defense of this province

    Ch. 409 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 219 · 1756 · Original text

  31. More effectual obstructing the exportation of provisions and warlike stores from the province of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 410 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 222 · 1756 · Original text

  32. Regulating and continuing the nightly watch and enlightening the streets, lanes and alleys of the city of Philadelphia and raising of money on the inhabitants and estates of the said city for defraying the necessary expenses thereof

    Ch. 411 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 224 · 1756 · Original text

  33. Striking the sum of 30,000 in bills of credit and giving the same to the King's use and for providing a fund to sink the bills so to be emitted by laying an excise upon wine, rum, brandy and other spirits

    Ch. 412 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 243 · 1756 · Original text

  34. Relief of Joseph Yeates, a languishing prisoner in the gaol of Philadelphia, with respect to the imprisonment of his person

    Ch. 413 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 262 · 1756 · Original text

  35. Regulating the officers and soldiers commissionated and raised by the governor for the defense of this province

    Ch. 414 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 266 · 1756 · Original text

  36. Extending several sections of an act of Parliament passed in the twenty-ninth year of the present reign entitled "An act for punishing mutiny and desertion and for the better payment of the army and their quarters."

    Ch. 415 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 269 · 1756 · Original text

  37. Binding out and settling such of the inhabitants of Nova Scotia imported into this province as are under age and for maintaining the aged, sick and maimed at the charge of the province

    Ch. 416 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 278 · 1757 · Original text

  38. Regulating the officers and soldiers commissionated and raised by the governor for the defense of this province and for repealing the act of general assembly passed in the present reign for the same purposes

    Ch. 417 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 281 · 1757 · Original text

  39. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for regulating and continuing the nightly watch and enlightening the streets, lanes and alleys of the city of Philadelphia and for raising of money on the inhabitants and estates of the said city for ... thereof."

    Ch. 418 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 284 · 1757 · Original text

  40. Further continuance of an act of general assembly of this province entitled "An act for the more easy recovery of legacies within this province."

    Ch. 419 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 287 · 1757 · Original text

  41. Render the quartering of soldiers on the public houses of this province less burdensome

    Ch. 420 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 288 · 1757 · Original text

  42. Regulating the hire of carriages to be employed in His Majesty's service within the inhabited parts of this province

    Ch. 421 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 291 · 1757 · Original text

  43. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for granting the sum of 60,000 pounds to the King's use and striking 55,000 pounds thereof in bills of credit and to provide a fund for sinking the same" and for granting additional sum

    Ch. 422 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 294 · 1757 · Original text

  44. Striking the sum of 55,000 pounds, the remainder of the sum of 100,000 pounds granted by this assembly to the King's use, and making the same current within this province

    Ch. 423 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 303 · 1757 · Original text

  45. Empowering the governor to discharge his part of the operations of this campaign stipulated in behalf of this province between his excellency John, Earl of Loudoun and the governors of the southern colonies

    Ch. 424 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 309 · 1757 · Original text

  46. Enable the governor to draw out and march 1,000 men, part of the troops of this province or the like number of volunteers to be raised, for the assistance of the province of New York

    Ch. 425 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 311 · 1757 · Original text

  47. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for binding out and settling such of the inhabitants of Nova Scotia imported into this province as are under age and for maintaining the aged, sick and maimed at the charge of the province."

    Ch. 426 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 313 · 1757 · Original text

  48. Enable Richard Hill and Samuel Preston Moore and Hannah, his wife, to comply with, establish, ratify and confirm certain agreements made between the said Samuel Preston Moore and Richard Hill, late of the city of Philadelphia, etc.

    Ch. 427 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 315 · 1757 · Original text

  49. Preventing abuses in the Indian trade, for supplying the Indians, friends and allies of Great Britain, with goods at more easy rates and securing and strengthening the peace and friendship lately concluded with the Indians inhabiting this province

    Ch. 428 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 320 · 1758 · Original text

  50. Regulating the hire of carriages to be employed in His Majesty's service

    Ch. 429 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 330 · 1758 · Original text

  51. Regulating the officers and soldiers commissionated and raised by the governor for the defense of this province

    Ch. 430 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 334 · 1758 · Original text

  52. Granting the sum of 100,000 pounds to His Majesty's use and striking the same in bills of credit and continuing the several acts of assembly of this province for sinking the bills of credit so to be struck as hereinafter directed

    Ch. 431 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 337 · 1758 · Original text

  53. Granting to His Majesty a duty of tonnage upon ships and vessels and also certain duties upon wine, rum, brandy and other spirits and a duty upon sugar for supporting and maintaining the provincial ship-of-war for protecting the trade of this province

    Ch. 432 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 352 · 1758 · Original text

  54. Extending several sections of an act of Parliament passed in the thirtieth year of the present reign entitled "An act for punishing mutiny and desertion and the better payment of the army and their quarters."

    Ch. 433 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 361 · 1758 · Original text

  55. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for regulating the hire of carriages to be employed in His Majesty's service."

    Ch. 434 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 372 · 1758 · Original text

  56. Continuance of an act of assembly of this province entitled "A supplementary act to the act entitled 'An act for preventing the exportation of bread and flour not merchantable and for the new appointment of officers to put the said law in execution.' "

    Ch. 435 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 374 · 1758 · Original text

  57. Addition to an act entitled "An act for regulating the hire of carriages to be employed in His Majesty's service."

    Ch. 436 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 376 · 1758 · Original text

  58. Further continuance of an act of assembly entitled "An act for the continuance of an act of assembly of this province entitled 'A supplementary act to the act entitled "An act for preventing the exportation of bread and flour ... execution." ' "

    Ch. 452 · 6 Pa. Stat. at Large 5 · 1759 · Original text

  59. Granting to His Majesty the sum of 100,000 pounds and striking the same in bills of credit in the manner hereinafter directed and for providing a fund for sinking the said bills of credit by a tax on all estates and taxables

    Ch. 437 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 379 · 1759 · Original text

  60. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for preventing abuses in the Indian trade, for supplying the Indians, friends and allies of Great Britain, with goods at more easy rates and for securing and strengthening the peace and friendship ... province."

    Ch. 438 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 396 · 1759 · Original text

  61. Prevent the exportation of bad or unmerchantable staves, heading, boards and timber

    Ch. 439 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 400 · 1759 · Original text

  62. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for granting to His Majesty a duty of tonnage upon ships and vessels and also certain duties upon wine, rum, brandy and other spirits and a duty upon sugar for supporting and maintaining the provincial ship ..."

    Ch. 440 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 406 · 1759 · Original text

  63. Extending several sections of an act of Parliament passed in the thirty-second year of the present reign entitled "An act for punishing mutiny and desertion and the better payment of the army and their quarters."

    Ch. 441 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 409 · 1759 · Original text

  64. Regulating the hire of carriages to be employed in His Majesty's service

    Ch. 442 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 420 · 1759 · Original text

  65. Regulating the officers and soldiers in the pay of this province

    Ch. 443 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 424 · 1759 · Original text

  66. Re-emitting the bills of credit of this province heretofore re-emitted on loan and striking the further sum of 36,650 pounds to enable the trustees to lend 50,000 pounds to Colonel John Hunter, etc.

    Ch. 444 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 427 · 1759 · Original text

  67. Relief of the heirs, devisees and assigns of persons born out of the King's ligeance who have been owners of lands within this province and have died unnaturalized

    Ch. 445 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 443 · 1759 · Original text

  68. More effectual suppressing and preventing of lotteries and plays

    Ch. 446 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 445 · 1759 · Original text

  69. Recording of warrants and surveys and for rendering the real estates and property within this province more secure

    Ch. 447 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 448 · 1759 · Original text

  70. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for re-emitting the bills of credit of this province heretofore re-emitted on loan and for striking the further sum ... to enable the trustees to lend 50,000 pounds to Colonel John Hunter ..."

    Ch. 448 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 456 · 1759 · Original text

  71. Appointing an agent to apply for and receive the distributive share and proportion which shall be assigned to this province of the sum of money granted by Parliament to His Majesty's colonies in America

    Ch. 449 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 460 · 1759 · Original text

  72. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for establishing courts of judicature in this province."

    Ch. 450 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 462 · 1759 · Original text

  73. Continuing an act entitled "An act for directing the choice of inspectors in the counties of Chester, Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks and Northampton."

    Ch. 451 · 5 Pa. Stat. at Large 465 · 1759 · Original text

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.