Thursday, October 29, 2026Verify to vote
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

274 laws of the 1770s

Province of Pennsylvania

  1. Relief of Henry William Stiegell, a languishing prisoner in the gaol of Philadelphia county, with respect to the imprisonment of his person

    Ch. 702 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 399 · 1774 · Original text

  2. Prevent frauds in the packing and preserving of shad and herring for exportation

    Ch. 703 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 403 · 1774 · Original text

  3. Relief of John Burrows, a languishing prisoner in the gaol of Philadelphia county, and William Waters, a languishing prisoner in the gaol of Bucks county, with respect to the imprisonment of their persons

    Ch. 704 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 407 · 1774 · Original text

  4. Suppress the disorderly practice of firing guns, etc. on the times therein mentioned

    Ch. 705 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 410 · 1774 · Original text

  5. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for acknowledging and recording of deeds."

    Ch. 706 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 412 · 1775 · Original text

  6. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for erecting a new gaol, workhouse and house of correction in the city of Philadelphia."

    Ch. 707 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 417 · 1775 · Original text

  7. Supplement to the act entitled "An act appointing wardens for the port of Philadelphia and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 708 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 423 · 1775 · Original text

  8. Regulate the assize of bread and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 709 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 429 · 1775 · Original text

  9. Relief of William Goddard and Septimus Levering, languishing prisoners in the gaol of Philadelphia county, with respect to the imprisonment of their persons

    Ch. 710 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 435 · 1775 · Original text

  10. Enable the trustees therein mentioned to sell and dispose of a certain tract of land and to apply the moneys arising therefrom to the use of the Low Dutch Reformed congregation or a religious society of Christians called Dutch Presbyterians

    Ch. 711 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 438 · 1775 · Original text

  11. Amend an act entitled "A supplement to the act entitled 'An act appointing wardens for the port of Philadelphia and for other purposes therein mentioned.' "

    Ch. 712 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 441 · 1775 · Original text

  12. Confirming the estate of the heirs and representatives of John Taylor, late of the county of Chester, practitioner in physic, deceased, in a certain tract of land in the township of Bradford in the said county

    Ch. 713 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 442 · 1775 · Original text

  13. Confirming the estate of Daniel Andrew in and to certain lands in Amity township in the county of Berks

    Ch. 714 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 444 · 1775 · Original text

  14. Support of the government of this province and payment of public debts

    Ch. 715 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 447 · 1775 · Original text

  15. Relief of Richard Taylor, Jacob Muck, George Jacob Hausman, Richard Ray and Francis Owens, prisoners in the gaol of Philadelphia county, and James Mackay, a prisoner in the gaol of Northumberland county, with respect to their imprisonment

    Ch. 716 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 456 · 1775 · Original text

  16. Ordinance for the relief of the prisoners in the several gaols in the state of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 727 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 5 · 1776 · Original text

  17. Ordinance to prevent the counterfeiting the paper money issued by the honorable the Continental Congress or by this or any other of the United American States

    Ch. 728 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 8 · 1776 · Original text

  18. Ordinance respecting the arms of non-associators

    Ch. 729 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 11 · 1776 · Original text

  19. Ordinance for the release of Colonel James Easton

    Ch. 730 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 12 · 1776 · Original text

  20. Ordinance for the appointment of justices of the peace for the state of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 731 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 13 · 1776 · Original text

  21. Ordinance of the state of Pennsylvania declaring what shall be treason and for punishing the same and other crimes and practices against the state

    Ch. 732 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 18 · 1776 · Original text

  22. Ordinance for punishing persons guilty of certain offenses therein mentioned against the United States of America

    Ch. 733 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 19 · 1776 · Original text

  23. Ordinance to compel debtors in certain cases to give security to their creditors

    Ch. 734 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 21 · 1776 · Original text

  24. Ordinance for rendering the burden of associators and non-associators in the defense of this state as nearly equal as may be

    Ch. 735 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 22 · 1776 · Original text

  25. Increase the number of representatives in assembly for the city of Philadelphia and in the several counties therein named

    Ch. 717 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 459 · 1776 · Original text

  26. Enable the keepers of records in the counties of Philadelphia and Chester to remove them to more safe and convenient places

    Ch. 718 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 462 · 1776 · Original text

  27. Continue part of an act entitled "An act for regulating and continuing the nightly watch, enlightening the streets, lanes and alleys of the city of Philadelphia and for other purposes therein mentioned" and making further provision for executing the act

    Ch. 719 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 464 · 1776 · Original text

  28. Continue an act entitled "An act to regulate the fishery in the river Schuylkill" and to make further provisions therein

    Ch. 720 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 467 · 1776 · Original text

  29. Relief of William Judd, John Onions, Michael Jordan, and William Sanders, prisoners for debt in the gaol of Philadelphia county, with respect to the imprisonment of their persons

    Ch. 721 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 468 · 1776 · Original text

  30. Confirming the estate of Andrew Hershey in and to certain lands in the township of Donegal in the county of Lancaster

    Ch. 722 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 471 · 1776 · Original text

  31. Make perpetual an act passed in the eleventh year of the reign of His present Majesty King George the Third entitled "An act for the relief of the poor."

    Ch. 723 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 474 · 1776 · Original text

  32. Suspend the carrying into execution the orders of the governor and council for opening a certain road in this province

    Ch. 724 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 474 · 1776 · Original text

  33. Vesting a certain tract of land situate in Middletown township in the county of Bucks in trustees to be sold and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 725 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 476 · 1776 · Original text

  34. Relief of Alexander Stewart, a prisoner for debt in the gaol of Philadelphia county, with respect to the imprisonment of his person

    Ch. 726 · 8 Pa. Stat. at Large 480 · 1776 · Original text

  35. Enable a smaller number of the members of assembly than a quorum to collect the absent members and issue writs for filling vacancies occasioned by neglect or refusal

    Ch. 736 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 28 · 1777 · Original text

  36. Revive and put in force such and so much of the late laws of the province of Pennsylvania as is judged necessary to be in force in this commonwealth and to revive and establish the courts of justice and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 737 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 29 · 1777 · Original text

  37. Making the continental bills of credit and the bills of credit emitted by resolves of the late assemblies legal tender and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 738 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 34 · 1777 · Original text

  38. Directing the mode and times of electing justices of the peace for the city of Philadelphia and the several and respective counties in this commonwealth and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 739 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 41 · 1777 · Original text

  39. Declaring what shall be treason and what other crimes and practices against the state shall be misprison of treason

    Ch. 740 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 45 · 1777 · Original text

  40. Prescribing the mode and manner of qualifying the commissioners and assessors

    Ch. 741 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 47 · 1777 · Original text

  41. Directing the mode of collecting the fines imposed on persons who did not meet and exercise in order to learn the art military according to the resolves of the late assembly of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 742 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 49 · 1777 · Original text

  42. Authorizing the collectors of the excise due and to become due on spirituous liquors to collect the same and directing the mode of obtaining tavern and other licenses and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 743 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 55 · 1777 · Original text

  43. Discourage desertion and to punish all such persons as shall harbor or conceal deserters

    Ch. 744 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 59 · 1777 · Original text

  44. Make effectual bonds heretofore given to the governors of Pennsylvania by the several officers of government for the faithful discharge of their respective offices

    Ch. 745 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 63 · 1777 · Original text

  45. Empower the justices of the peace for the city of Philadelphia to do and perform certain matters and things formerly directed to be done and performed by the mayor, recorder and aldermen of the said city

    Ch. 746 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 64 · 1777 · Original text

  46. Revive and put in force an act entitled "An act to regulate the fishery in the river Schuylkill."

    Ch. 747 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 66 · 1777 · Original text

  47. Establishing in the city of Philadelphia and in each county of this state an office for the probate and registering of wills and granting letters of administration and an office for the recording of deeds

    Ch. 748 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 68 · 1777 · Original text

  48. Supplement to "An act directing the mode and times of electing justices of the peace for the city of Philadelphia and the several counties in this commonwealth and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 749 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 73 · 1777 · Original text

  49. Regulate the militia of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 750 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 75 · 1777 · Original text

  50. Increase the wages of assemblymen

    Ch. 751 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 95 · 1777 · Original text

  51. Emitting the sum of 200,000 pounds in bills of credit for the defense of this state and providing a fund for sinking the same by a tax on all estates, real and personal, and on all taxables within the same

    Ch. 752 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 97 · 1777 · Original text

  52. Punishing the counterfeiting the continental loan office tickets and lottery tickets

    Ch. 753 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 103 · 1777 · Original text

  53. Authorizing the president and council to appoint judges to hold city courts and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 754 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 105 · 1777 · Original text

  54. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for making the continental bills of credit and the bills of credit emitted by resolves of the late assemblies legal tender and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 755 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 109 · 1777 · Original text

  55. Obliging the male white inhabitants of this state to give assurances of allegiance to the same and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 756 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 110 · 1777 · Original text

  56. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for amending the several acts for electing members of assembly."

    Ch. 757 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 114 · 1777 · Original text

  57. Supplement to the act entitled "An act directing the mode of collecting the fines imposed on persons who did not meet and exercise in order to learn the art military according to the resolves of the late assembly of Pennsylvania."

    Ch. 758 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 124 · 1777 · Original text

  58. Re-establish the ancient corporation of the burgesses and inhabitants of the borough of Lancaster in the county of Lancaster

    Ch. 759 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 128 · 1777 · Original text

  59. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to regulate the militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."

    Ch. 760 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 131 · 1777 · Original text

  60. Prohibit the sale of goods, wares and merchandises by public vendue and to regulate peddlers and hawkers in this state

    Ch. 761 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 136 · 1777 · Original text

  61. Empower the supreme executive council of this commonwealth to provide for the security thereof in special cases where no provision is already made by law

    Ch. 762 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 138 · 1777 · Original text

  62. Relief of officers, soldiers, marines and seamen who in the course of the present war, being in the service of the United States of America, have been or shall be maimed or otherwise disabled from getting their livelihood and shall be residents

    Ch. 763 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 140 · 1777 · Original text

  63. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to enable a smaller number of the members of assembly than a quorum to collect the absent members and issue writs for filling vacancies occasioned by neglect or refusal."

    Ch. 764 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 146 · 1777 · Original text

  64. Supplement to the act entitled "An act obliging the male white inhabitants of this state to give assurances of allegiance to the same and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 765 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 147 · 1777 · Original text

  65. Constituting a council of safety and vesting the same with the powers therein mentioned

    Ch. 766 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 149 · 1777 · Original text

  66. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for emitting the sum of 200,000 pounds in bills of credit for the defense of this state and providing a fund for sinking the same by a tax on all estates real and personal and on all taxables ..."

    Ch. 767 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 152 · 1777 · Original text

  67. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for emitting the sum of 200,000 pounds in bills of credit for the defense of this state and providing a fund for sinking the same by a tax on all estates real and personal and on ... same."

    Ch. 768 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 156 · 1777 · Original text

  68. Empower the justices of Philadelphia and Chester counties to hold courts at other places than usual

    Ch. 769 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 157 · 1777 · Original text

  69. Empower certain commissioners appointed by congress to take vigorous measures for the defense of the western frontiers of this state and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 770 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 159 · 1777 · Original text

  70. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for emitting the sum of 150,000 pounds in bills of credit on loan and providing a fund for the payment of public debts."

    Ch. 771 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 162 · 1777 · Original text

  71. Supplement to several acts of general assembly directing the mode of appointing and fining the several officers herein mentioned

    Ch. 772 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 165 · 1777 · Original text

  72. Making more equal the burden of the public defense and for filling the quota of troops to be raised in this state

    Ch. 773 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 167 · 1777 · Original text

  73. Regulate the wages of the representatives of the freemen in assembly

    Ch. 774 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 169 · 1777 · Original text

  74. Further supplement to the act entitled "An act to regulate the militia of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania."

    Ch. 781 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 185 · 1777 · Original text

  75. Continue in force an act of general assembly of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania entitled "An act to empower the supreme executive council of this commonwealth to provide for the security thereof in special cases where no provision is already ... law."

    Ch. 775 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 170 · 1778 · Original text

  76. Establishing a new seal for the supreme court and for altering the place of holding the said court and the courts of oyer and terminer and general gaol delivery in the counties of Chester and Bucks for a limited time

    Ch. 776 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 171 · 1778 · Original text

  77. Prevent the imprisonment of soldiers for small debts and also to prevent the enlistment of soldiers within the bounds of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania by any officers of the other states until the quota of this state be completed

    Ch. 777 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 173 · 1778 · Original text

  78. Suspending the powers of the trustees of the college and academy of Philadelphia for a limited time

    Ch. 778 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 175 · 1778 · Original text

  79. Prevent forestalling and regrating and to encourage fair dealing

    Ch. 779 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 177 · 1778 · Original text

  80. Regulation of wagons, carriages and pack horses for the public service

    Ch. 780 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 181 · 1778 · Original text

  81. Better supply of the armies of the United States of America

    Ch. 782 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 189 · 1778 · Original text

  82. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for the better supply of the armies of the United States."

    Ch. 783 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 199 · 1778 · Original text

  83. Attainder of divers traitors if they render not themselves by a certain day and for vesting their estates in this commonwealth and for more effectually discovering the same and for ascertaining and satisfying the lawful debts and claims thereupon

    Ch. 784 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 201 · 1778 · Original text

  84. Making compensation to those whose servants and apprentices have been enlisted

    Ch. 785 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 216 · 1778 · Original text

  85. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to discourage desertion and to punish all such persons as shall harbor or conceal deserters."

    Ch. 786 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 217 · 1778 · Original text

  86. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for the regulating of wagons, carriages and pack-horses for the public service."

    Ch. 787 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 218 · 1778 · Original text

  87. Better securing and punishing persons guilty of the crimes and offenses therein mentioned

    Ch. 788 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 220 · 1778 · Original text

  88. More speedy and effectual recovery of debts due to the United States of America

    Ch. 789 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 222 · 1778 · Original text

  89. Further supplement to the act entitled "An act for amending the several acts for electing members of assembly."

    Ch. 790 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 223 · 1778 · Original text

  90. Calling in the bills of credit issued by the legislative authority of Pennsylvania under the sanction and authority of the crown of Great Britain and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 791 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 225 · 1778 · Original text

  91. Revive and put in force the act of general assembly of the province of Pennsylvania entitled "An act for the relief of the poor" and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 792 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 228 · 1778 · Original text

  92. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for the regulating and establishing of fees."

    Ch. 793 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 229 · 1778 · Original text

  93. Raising the sum of $620,000 for the use of the United States of America

    Ch. 794 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 230 · 1778 · Original text

  94. Regulating the prices of the several articles herein mentioned for a limited time

    Ch. 795 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 236 · 1778 · Original text

  95. Further security of the government

    Ch. 796 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 238 · 1778 · Original text

  96. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to prevent forestalling and regrating and to encourage fair dealing."

    Ch. 797 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 245 · 1778 · Original text

  97. Empower the justices of the county of Bucks to hold courts at other places than usual and for the removal and safe custody of the records and other public papers of the said county

    Ch. 798 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 247 · 1778 · Original text

  98. Suspending for a limited time the act entitled "An act for regulating the prices of the several articles hereinafter mentioned for a limited time."

    Ch. 799 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 249 · 1778 · Original text

  99. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for the calling in of the bills of credit issued by the legislative authority of Pennsylvania under the sanction and authority of the crown of Great Britain and for other purposes herein mentioned."

    Ch. 800 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 250 · 1778 · Original text

  100. Repeal three several acts of general assembly relating to justices of Philadelphia and Chester counties holding courts at other places than usual, punishing persons guilty of certain crimes and justices of Bucks county holding courts and custody of papers

    Ch. 801 · 9 Pa. Stat. at Large 254 · 1778 · 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.