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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

567 laws of the 1780s

Constitution of 1776

  1. Prevent and stay suits from being brought against the inhabitants of Wyoming during the time therein mentioned

    Ch. 1013 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 48 · 1783 · Original text

  2. Prevent and discourage the desertion of sailors from the fleets of his most Christian Majesty

    Ch. 1014 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 49 · 1783 · Original text

  3. Relief of Joseph Judson, James Robinson and James Lees, insolvent debtors confined in the old gaol of the city and county of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1015 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 51 · 1783 · Original text

  4. Addition and supplement to "An act for amending and continuing an act entitled 'An act for the support of the government of this province, making the excise on wine, rum, brandy and other spirits more equal' and preventing frauds in the collecting ..."

    Ch. 1016 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 53 · 1783 · Original text

  5. Further supplement to the act entitled "An act to prevent the exportation of bread and flour not merchantable and for repealing at a certain time all laws heretofore made for that purpose."

    Ch. 1017 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 63 · 1783 · Original text

  6. Raising and collecting of money on the specified articles therein mentioned for the support of government and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1018 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 65 · 1783 · Original text

  7. Repeal part of the act entitled "An act for the more effectual suppression of all intercourse and commerce with the enemies of the United States of America" and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1019 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 68 · 1783 · Original text

  8. Settlement of the public accounts of the United States of America

    Ch. 1020 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 71 · 1783 · Original text

  9. Providing the quota of federal supplies for the year 1783 and for the relief of the citizens of this state who have become creditors of the United States of America by loans of money or other modes of furnishing public supplies

    Ch. 1021 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 81 · 1783 · Original text

  10. Further supplement to the act entitled "An act for the regulation of the militia of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania" and to repeal the act entitled "A supplement to the act for the regulation of the militia of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania."

    Ch. 1022 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 91 · 1783 · Original text

  11. Preventing vexatious prosecutions and suits against such as acted in this state for the defence of the liberties of America

    Ch. 1023 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 98 · 1783 · Original text

  12. Appropriate certain moneys arising from the excise for the payment of the annual interest due on unalienated certificates therein mentioned

    Ch. 1024 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 100 · 1783 · Original text

  13. Repeal part of an act entitled "An act declaring the river Susquehanna and other streams therein mentioned public highways for improving the navigation of the said river and streams and preserving the fish in the same."

    Ch. 1025 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 102 · 1783 · Original text

  14. Building market houses and keeping a public market on both sides of Callowhill Street and New Market street in the Northern Liberties of the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1026 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 103 · 1783 · Original text

  15. Re-establish the corporation of the Juliana Library Company in Lancaster in the county of Lancaster

    Ch. 1027 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 107 · 1783 · Original text

  16. Encourage the speedy apprehending and bringing to justice divers robbers, burglars and felons

    Ch. 1028 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 109 · 1783 · Original text

  17. Establishment of a college at the borough of Carlisle in the county of Cumberland in the state of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 1029 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 114 · 1783 · Original text

  18. Repeal of an act entitled "An act to prevent and stay suits from being brought against the inhabitants of Wyoming during the time therein mentioned" and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1030 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 121 · 1783 · Original text

  19. Erecting the town of Reading in the county of Berks into a borough, for regulating the buildings, preventing nuisances and encroachments on the squares, streets, lanes and alleys of the same and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1031 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 124 · 1783 · Original text

  20. Repeal sundry acts of assembly imposing duties on goods, wares and merchandise and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1032 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 146 · 1783 · Original text

  21. Dissolve the marriage of Charles Rubey of the town of Bedford, cordwainer, and Jane, his wife

    Ch. 1033 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 147 · 1783 · Original text

  22. Supplement to an act entitled "An act appointing wardens for the port of Philadelphia" and to the act entitled "An act to prevent infectious diseases being brought into this province."

    Ch. 1034 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 149 · 1783 · Original text

  23. Ratify and confirm an agreement made between commissioners appointed by the legislatures of the state of New Jersey and of the state of Pennsylvania for the purpose of settling the jurisdiction of the river Delaware and islands within the same

    Ch. 1035 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 151 · 1783 · Original text

  24. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to appropriate certain moneys arising from the excise for the payment of the annual interest due on unalienated certificates therein mentioned " passed March 21 last

    Ch. 1036 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 154 · 1783 · Original text

  25. Relief of William Brown, an insolvent debtor confined to the gaol of the city and county of Philadelphia for debt

    Ch. 1037 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 157 · 1783 · Original text

  26. Additional supplement to an act entitled "An act for the regulation of the militia of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania."

    Ch. 1038 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 161 · 1783 · Original text

  27. Levying a duty on certain enumerated articles and an impost of five per centum ad valorem on all other goods, wares and merchandise imported into this state and a tax upon real and personal property for the discharge of debts of the United States, etc.

    Ch. 1039 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 162 · 1783 · Original text

  28. Further supplement to an act entitled "An act for acknowledging and recording of deeds."

    Ch. 1040 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 166 · 1783 · Original text

  29. Incorporating St. Paul's Church in the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1041 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 168 · 1783 · Original text

  30. Relief of Francis Murray, John Duguid, Robert Patton, William Crawford, Andrew Dover, Thomas Jenney and Andrew Robinson, late officers of the Pennsylvania line in the service of the United States

    Ch. 1042 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 173 · 1783 · Original text

  31. Dissolve the marriage of Peter Summers and Catharine, his wife

    Ch. 1043 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 174 · 1783 · Original text

  32. Confirm the title of Joshua Russell to certain lands therein mentioned

    Ch. 1044 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 175 · 1783 · Original text

  33. Grant the right of pre-emption to an island, known by the name of Moutour's Island, in the Ohio river in Brigadier General William Irvine

    Ch. 1045 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 177 · 1783 · Original text

  34. Affording indemnity to Thomas Hutchins, esquire, formerly a captain and engineer in his Britannic Majesty's service and now geographer to the United States

    Ch. 1046 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 178 · 1783 · Original text

  35. Relief of Joseph Judson, Shem Thompson and Lawrence Powell, insolvent debtors confined in the gaol of the city and county of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1047 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 180 · 1783 · Original text

  36. Confirming the estate of George Roth in certain lands, the title deed being lost

    Ch. 1048 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 181 · 1783 · Original text

  37. Establish and confirm the estate of Persifor Frazer, esquire, in a tract of land and tenements in this state

    Ch. 1049 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 185 · 1783 · Original text

  38. Relief of John Klein, an insolvent debtor confined in the gaol of Lancaster county

    Ch. 1050 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 186 · 1783 · Original text

  39. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for an impost on goods, wares and merchandise imported into this state."

    Ch. 1051 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 188 · 1783 · Original text

  40. Supplement to "An act for providing the quota of federal supplies for the year 1783 and for the relief of the citizens of this state who have become creditors of the United States of America by loans ..."

    Ch. 1052 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 191 · 1783 · Original text

  41. Establish a ferry over the Allegheny river at the town of Pittsburgh

    Ch. 1053 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 193 · 1783 · Original text

  42. Establish a ferry over the Monongahela river at the new store

    Ch. 1054 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 194 · 1783 · Original text

  43. Relief of Andrew Trumbower, an insolvent debtor confined in the gaol of Newtown in the county of Bucks

    Ch. 1055 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 195 · 1783 · Original text

  44. Erecting part of the county of Westmoreland into a separate county (named Fayette)

    Ch. 1056 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 196 · 1783 · Original text

  45. Incorporating the Baptist church in the township of Montgomery and county of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1057 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 203 · 1783 · Original text

  46. Repeal part of the act entitled "An act for an impost on goods, wares and merchandise imported into this state."

    Ch. 1058 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 208 · 1783 · Original text

  47. Better securing the city of Philadelphia and its liberties from danger of gunpowder

    Ch. 1059 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 209 · 1783 · Original text

  48. Complete the title of Abraham Comron and Rebecca English, his sister, to a house and lot in Mulberry ward in the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1060 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 214 · 1783 · Original text

  49. More effectually securing and recovering for the uses of the commonwealth the moneys due for excise and militia fines and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1061 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 216 · 1783 · Original text

  50. Supplying an act entitled "An act for the effectual recovering and securing the fines, forfeitures and other moneys due or belonging to the commonwealth for the use of the same."

    Ch. 1062 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 222 · 1783 · Original text

  51. Revive and continue in force the acts of assembly regulating sales by public auction and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1063 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 225 · 1783 · Original text

  52. Confirm the title to a house and lot of land on Mulberry street in the city of Philadelphia, late the estate of John Nicholas, for which some of the original deeds are lost and to enable the trustees of that estate to convey the same

    Ch. 1064 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 228 · 1784 · Original text

  53. Vacate and abolish part of two roads in Warminster township in the county of Bucks

    Ch. 1065 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 230 · 1784 · Original text

  54. Establish a ferry over the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers and to vest the right in John McKee, his heirs and assigns forever

    Ch. 1066 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 232 · 1784 · Original text

  55. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to encourage the speedy apprehending and bringing to justice divers robbers, burglars and felons."

    Ch. 1067 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 233 · 1784 · Original text

  56. Annexing part of Westmoreland county to the county of Fayette

    Ch. 1068 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 234 · 1784 · Original text

  57. Establish and confirm the title of Richard Gardiner in a certain lot and tenement thereon erected and situated in the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1069 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 235 · 1784 · Original text

  58. Establish and confirm the estate of Henry Gurney in certain messuages, tenements and lots of land situated and being within the city and county of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1070 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 236 · 1784 · Original text

  59. Establish a public ferry over the Youghiogheny river and for vesting the right in John Sumrall, his heirs and assigns

    Ch. 1071 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 241 · 1784 · Original text

  60. Establish a public ferry at the town of Pittsburgh in Westmoreland county and for vesting the right in John Ormsby, his heirs and assigns forever

    Ch. 1072 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 242 · 1784 · Original text

  61. Establish ferry over the Ohio river at the mouth of Saw-mill run

    Ch. 1073 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 243 · 1784 · Original text

  62. Incorporating the Presbyterian church in Hanover township, Lancaster county

    Ch. 1074 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 244 · 1784 · Original text

  63. Raising, by way of lottery the sum of $42,000 for improving the public roads leading from the city of Philadelphia to the western parts of this state and towards the improving the navigation of the river Schuylkill

    Ch. 1075 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 251 · 1784 · Original text

  64. Raising a further impost or duty on all goods, wares or merchandise imported into this state

    Ch. 1076 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 262 · 1784 · Original text

  65. Dissolve the marriage of John Alexander and Margaret, his wife

    Ch. 1077 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 265 · 1784 · Original text

  66. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for making the river Schuylkill navigable and for the preservation of the fish in the said river" and to two supplements to the same act

    Ch. 1078 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 266 · 1784 · Original text

  67. Encouragement and promotion of learning by vesting a right to the copies of printed books in the authors or purchasers of such copies during the time therein mentioned

    Ch. 1079 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 271 · 1784 · Original text

  68. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for erecting part of the county of Bedford into a separate county (named Westmoreland)."

    Ch. 1080 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 273 · 1784 · Original text

  69. Supplement to "An act to enable William Clingan, Thomas Bull, John Kinkead, Roger Kirk, John Sellers, John Wilson and Joseph Davis to build a new court house and prison in the county of Chester and sell the old court house and prison in ... Chester."

    Ch. 1081 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 276 · 1784 · Original text

  70. Dissolve the marriage of Alexander Kidd and Edith Kidd, his wife

    Ch. 1082 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 278 · 1784 · Original text

  71. Dissolve the marriage of Leonard Eckstine of the county of Westmoreland and Mary, his wife

    Ch. 1083 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 279 · 1784 · Original text

  72. Dissolve the marriage of Robert Steward of the city of Philadelphia, mariner, and Catharine, his wife

    Ch. 1084 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 280 · 1784 · Original text

  73. Empower the owners of Greenwich Island, Wiccacoa and Moyamensing Meadows to make a dam across the mouth of Hay creek and another dam across Hollander's creek at the stone bridge

    Ch. 1085 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 281 · 1784 · Original text

  74. Remedy the inconveniences of holding the annual elections in the second district of Bedford county and the third and fourth districts in the county of Westmoreland at the places heretofore appointed by the laws of this commonwealth

    Ch. 1086 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 285 · 1784 · Original text

  75. Destroying squirrels in the counties of Westmoreland, Washington and Fayette

    Ch. 1087 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 287 · 1784 · Original text

  76. Secure the persons employed in the building and fitting ships and vessels for sea by making the body, tackle, apparel and furniture of such ships and vessels liable to pay the several tradesmen employed in building and fitting them for work and materials

    Ch. 1088 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 289 · 1784 · Original text

  77. Regulate fences and to appoint appraisers in each township in the counties of Bedford, Northumberland, Westmoreland, Washington and Fayette and to encourage the raising of swine

    Ch. 1089 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 291 · 1784 · Original text

  78. Regulating of hawkers and peddlers

    Ch. 1090 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 295 · 1784 · Original text

  79. Continuing the arch over the public common sewer of the city of Philadelphia through the middle of the dock and covering it with earth from Walnut street to the foot bridge and for raising a fund for defraying the expenses thereof and for other purposes

    Ch. 1091 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 297 · 1784 · Original text

  80. Regulate the fisheries in the rivers Delaware and Lehigh and for the preservation of the fish in the said rivers

    Ch. 1092 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 300 · 1784 · Original text

  81. Remedy the defects of the several acts of assembly heretofore made for regulating the elections of the justices of the peace throughout this state and to authorize the justices of the peace of Philadelphia to hold the courts of record of the city

    Ch. 1093 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 306 · 1784 · Original text

  82. Opening the land office for granting and disposing of the unappropriated lands within this state

    Ch. 1094 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 315 · 1784 · Original text

  83. Further regulation of the port of Philadelphia and enlarging the power of the wardens thereof

    Ch. 1095 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 320 · 1784 · Original text

  84. Relief of John Long, John McFadden, Daniel Drais, Mary Currie and Elizabeth Carnaghan, insolvent debtors confined in the gaol of the city and county of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1096 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 330 · 1784 · Original text

  85. Empower the supreme executive council to sell the barracks in the Northern Liberties of the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1097 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 332 · 1784 · Original text

  86. Relief of Henry Eberle, an insolvent debtor confined in the gaol of Lancaster county

    Ch. 1098 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 334 · 1784 · Original text

  87. Confirming an agreement entered into between this state and the state of Virginia

    Ch. 1099 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 336 · 1784 · Original text

  88. Enable the comptroller-general to issue certificates for the balances due on the accounts of the late ranging companies raised for the defense of the frontiers and other accounts due to the citizens of this state

    Ch. 1100 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 338 · 1784 · Original text

  89. Further supplement to the laws respecting the wardens of the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1101 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 339 · 1784 · Original text

  90. Incorporating the United Presbyterian Church in Lower Paxton, Lancaster county

    Ch. 1102 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 345 · 1784 · Original text

  91. Vest in Isaac Austin a certain messuage, wharf, ferry and ferry landing situated on the northeastern side of Mulberry street at the easternmost extremity thereof in the city of Philadelphia, late the property of William Austin, attainted of high treason

    Ch. 1103 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 352 · 1784 · Original text

  92. Furnishing from the militia of Pennsylvania the quota of troops required by congress for the protection of the Northwestern frontiers and for other purposes

    Ch. 1104 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 354 · 1784 · Original text

  93. Vacate and abolish a part of a road leading from the line of the Yorktown lands to the Newberry road in Manchester township, York county

    Ch. 1105 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 356 · 1784 · Original text

  94. Supplement to "An act for continuing the arch over the public common sewer of the city of Philadelphia through the middle of the dock and covering the same with earth from Walnut street to the foot bridge and for raising a fund ..."

    Ch. 1106 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 357 · 1784 · Original text

  95. Erecting the southwestern part of the county of Cumberland into a new county (named Franklin)

    Ch. 1107 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 359 · 1784 · Original text

  96. Erecting part of the county of Philadelphia into a separate county (named Montgomery)

    Ch. 1108 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 364 · 1784 · Original text

  97. Establish and incorporate a public school at Germantown in the county of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1109 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 372 · 1784 · Original text

  98. Enable Marcus Hulings and his heirs and assigns to erect, build and maintain a dam over Sheerman's creek in the county of Cumberland near the mouth of the same creek

    Ch. 1110 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 376 · 1784 · Original text

  99. More speedy restoring the possession of certain messuages, lands and tenements in Northumberland county to the persons who lately held the same

    Ch. 1111 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 377 · 1784 · Original text

  100. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to prevent the exportation of bread and flour not merchantable."

    Ch. 1112 · 11 Pa. Stat. at Large 378 · 1784 · 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.