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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. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for vesting in the American Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia for the promoting useful knowledge a certain lot of ground, being part of the state house square."

    Ch. 1213 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 198 · 1786 · Original text

  2. Repealing so much of a law passed in December 1780 for raising the sum of 93,640 pounds 10 shillings annually for six years as relates to the payments of the last four annual taxes therein directed to be laid

    Ch. 1214 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 199 · 1786 · Original text

  3. Repeal "An act to suspend an act of general assembly of this commonwealth entitled 'A supplement to an act entitled "An act to enable William Clingan... to build a new court house and prison in the county of Chester and to sell the old court house ..."'"

    Ch. 1215 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 200 · 1786 · Original text

  4. Authorizing the supreme executive council to appoint a commissioner or commissioners to view and open a road from the Lehigh Water Gap in the county of Northampton to Wyoming in the county of Northumberland and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1216 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 201 · 1786 · Original text

  5. Empower the wardens of the city of Philadelphia to extend the market house in High street from Third street to Fourth street from Delaware river and to continue the same from time to time westwardly from one street to another in the middle of High street

    Ch. 1217 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 203 · 1786 · Original text

  6. Enforce the due payment and collection of taxes within this commonwealth

    Ch. 1218 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 206 · 1786 · Original text

  7. Provide for discharging the arrears of interest due upon the deprecation certificates granted by this state upon which interest was heretofore payable

    Ch. 1219 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 211 · 1786 · Original text

  8. Establish and confirm the title of the assigns of Nathaniel Taylor in a certain messuage and tract of land in Allen township in the county of Northampton

    Ch. 1220 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 214 · 1786 · Original text

  9. Empower the justices of the supreme court to supply defects in the titles to lands occasioned by the loss of deeds or writings respecting the same or where they have been defaced or rendered illegible by time or accident

    Ch. 1221 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 216 · 1786 · Original text

  10. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to regulate the fisheries in the rivers Delaware and Lehigh and for the preservation of fish in the said rivers."

    Ch. 1222 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 218 · 1786 · Original text

  11. Dividing Mulberry ward in the city of Philadelphia into two separate wards

    Ch. 1223 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 220 · 1786 · Original text

  12. Present relief and future endowment of Dickinson College in the borough of Carlisle and county of Cumberland in this state and for reserving part of the unappropriated lands belonging to the state as a fund for the endowment of public schools

    Ch. 1224 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 221 · 1786 · Original text

  13. Directing the sale of such of the city lots as remain the property of the state and for disposing of the house and lots in High street in the city of Philadelphia late the estate of Joseph Galloway and forfeited to this commonwealth

    Ch. 1225 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 225 · 1786 · Original text

  14. Supplement to "An act for levying a duty on certain enumerated articles and an impost of five per centum ad valorum on all other goods, wares and merchandise imported into this state and a tax upon real and personal property for the discharge of debt ..."

    Ch. 1226 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 228 · 1786 · Original text

  15. Alter and amend an act entitled "An act to encourage and protect the manufacturers of this state by laying additional duties on the importation of certain manufactures which interfere with them."

    Ch. 1227 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 233 · 1786 · Original text

  16. Lending the sum of 300 pounds to Whitehead Humphreys of the city of Philadelphia for the purpose of manufacturing bar iron into steel

    Ch. 1228 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 235 · 1786 · Original text

  17. Incorporating the German Reformed Congregation in the borough of Reading in the county of Berks

    Ch. 1229 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 236 · 1786 · Original text

  18. Extend the benefit of "An act to give the benefit of trial by jury to the public officers of this state and to other persons who shall be proceeded against in a summary manner by the comptroller general of this state" to some accounts settled previously

    Ch. 1230 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 241 · 1786 · Original text

  19. Vesting certain city lots therein mentioned in trustees for a burial ground for the use of the religious society of Free Quakers in the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1231 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 242 · 1786 · Original text

  20. Incorporate the Presbyterian Congregation in the borough of Carlisle in the county of Cumberland

    Ch. 1232 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 244 · 1786 · Original text

  21. Incorporate the Presbyterian Congregation of Brandywine in the township of Westnantmel in the county of Chester

    Ch. 1233 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 250 · 1786 · Original text

  22. Incorporating the Baptist Church in the township of New Britain and County of Bucks

    Ch. 1234 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 252 · 1786 · Original text

  23. Discharge and annul the declaration of trust relating to the Scots Presbyterian Church in the city of Philadelphia so far as the said instrument encumbers the said church with subjection to foreign jurisdiction

    Ch. 1235 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 258 · 1786 · Original text

  24. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to establish and incorporate a public school at Germantown in the county of Philadelphia."

    Ch. 1236 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 260 · 1786 · Original text

  25. Relieve the owners of unimproved lands from the inconveniences they are subjected to by the present mode of enforcing the payment of taxes assessed thereon

    Ch. 1237 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 264 · 1786 · Original text

  26. Incorporate the Presbyterian Congregation in Donegal township in the county of Lancaster

    Ch. 1238 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 266 · 1786 · Original text

  27. Confirming and amending the charter of the German Reformed Congregation in the borough of Lancaster in the county of Lancaster in the state of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 1239 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 272 · 1786 · Original text

  28. Incorporating the Presbyterian Congregation of Bensalem in the county of Bucks

    Ch. 1240 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 275 · 1786 · Original text

  29. Amending the penal laws of this state

    Ch. 1241 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 280 · 1786 · Original text

  30. Altering and amending an act entitled "An act to regulate the general elections of this commonwealth and to prevent frauds therein."

    Ch. 1242 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 290 · 1786 · Original text

  31. Empower and direct Ann McFarren et al., administrators of all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits which were of Amos McGinley, deceased, to convey certain lands in Hamilton's Bann and Cumberland townships in York county

    Ch. 1243 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 297 · 1786 · Original text

  32. Erecting the northern part of the county of Northumberland into a separate county (named Luzerne)

    Ch. 1244 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 300 · 1786 · Original text

  33. Distribute and annex the jurisdiction of this commonwealth upon the river Delaware below the station point and to certain islands within the same to the counties of Northampton, Bucks, Philadelphia and Chester

    Ch. 1245 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 304 · 1786 · Original text

  34. More speedy and effectual administration of justice

    Ch. 1246 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 308 · 1786 · Original text

  35. Empower the sheriff of the county of Chester to remove the prisoners from the old gaol in the town of Chester to the new gaol in Goshen township in said county and to indemnify him for the same

    Ch. 1247 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 311 · 1786 · Original text

  36. Prevention of vice and immorality and unlawful gaming and to restrain disorderly sports and dissipation

    Ch. 1248 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 313 · 1786 · Original text

  37. Relief of George Schlosser

    Ch. 1249 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 322 · 1786 · Original text

  38. Incorporate the Presbyterian Church of Silver Spring in the county of Cumberland

    Ch. 1250 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 325 · 1786 · Original text

  39. Authorizing and directing the comptroller general to issue a certificate in favor of William Tharpe for a sum of money due to him from the commonwealth in consequence of an agreement of the honorable the supreme executive council

    Ch. 1251 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 331 · 1786 · Original text

  40. Authorize and empower Frederick Smith of the city of Philadelphia, Esquire, and Margaret his wife, late Margaret Oswald, and the honorable John Penn and Edward Shippen, Esquires, and Doctor Thomas Parke to sell and convey a messuage and lot of ground

    Ch. 1252 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 332 · 1786 · Original text

  41. Appoint a representation for the city of Philadelphia and the several counties in this commonwealth in proportion to the number of taxable inhabitants in each for the ensuing seven years

    Ch. 1253 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 335 · 1786 · Original text

  42. Repeal so much of "An act to encourage and protect the manufactures of this state by laying additional duties on the importation of certain manufactures which interfere with them" as lays an additional duty on wines and fruit from Portugal

    Ch. 1254 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 337 · 1786 · Original text

  43. Prevent for a limited time the sales of lands for the payment of taxes within the frontier counties of this state belonging to non-resident owners thereof and to allow the said owners a further day of appeal

    Ch. 1255 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 338 · 1786 · Original text

  44. Supplement to an act passed September 25 last entitled "An act for erecting the northern part of the county of Northumberland into a separate county (named Luzerne)."

    Ch. 1256 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 339 · 1786 · Original text

  45. Suspend the powers of the trustees of the county of Westmoreland and for settling their accounts

    Ch. 1257 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 344 · 1786 · Original text

  46. Relief of Isaac Wynn, Philip Buckius, John Harmar, Adam Alberger, Edward Dickinson, George Knox, Charles Brown, Elias Rosa, Harman Courter, Dennison Hume, Thomas Harrison, William Ritchie and Cato Hill, debtors confined in the gaol of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1258 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 347 · 1786 · Original text

  47. Giving during a limited time a right of pre-emption to the actual settlers within that part of this state which is within the territory purchased by the King of Great Britain of or from the Indians at Fort Stanwix in the year 1768

    Ch. 1259 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 350 · 1786 · Original text

  48. Appointing deputies to the convention intended to be held in the city of Philadelphia for the purpose of revising the federal constitution

    Ch. 1260 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 351 · 1786 · Original text

  49. Furnishing the quota of troops required by congress for the protection of the western frontiers and other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1326 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 5 · 1787 · Original text

  50. Provide for the wages of members of the state convention and to defray the expenses of holding the same

    Ch. 1327 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 7 · 1787 · Original text

  51. Alter and amend an act entitled "An act for erecting and opening a loan office for the sum of 50,000 pounds."

    Ch. 1328 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 8 · 1787 · Original text

  52. Supplement to the acts made for the relief of insolvent debtors and also granting relief to felons unable to make restitution of stolen goods

    Ch. 1261 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 353 · 1787 · Original text

  53. Exonerate the contributors to the Pennsylvania Hospital from a debt due to this commonwealth upon a loan made to them in the year 1780

    Ch. 1262 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 355 · 1787 · Original text

  54. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for the more speedy and effectual administration of justice."

    Ch. 1263 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 356 · 1787 · Original text

  55. Establishment of an academy or public school in the town of Pittsburgh

    Ch. 1264 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 357 · 1787 · Original text

  56. Alter and amend an act entitled "An act to prevent frauds in the packing and preserving of shad and herring for exportation."

    Ch. 1265 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 359 · 1787 · Original text

  57. Incorporating the German Lutheran Congregation in and near the Borough of Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 1266 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 360 · 1787 · Original text

  58. Exonerate and discharge David Cloyd late treasurer of state taxes in and for the county of Chester from the payment of 270 pounds 9 shillings specie of which he was robbed

    Ch. 1267 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 368 · 1787 · Original text

  59. Incorporate the Congregation of Seventh Day Baptists residing within the Township of East Nantmel and places adjacent in the County of Chester

    Ch. 1268 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 369 · 1787 · Original text

  60. Enable the committee of the estate of John Vanderen (who is non compos mentis) to sell and convey some parts of his real and personal estate for payment of some debts, to mortgage other parts of his real estate to secure payment of other debts, etc.

    Ch. 1269 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 375 · 1787 · Original text

  61. Co-operating with the state of Massachusetts Bay agreeable to the articles of confederation in the apprehending the proclaimed rebels Daniel Shays, Luke Day, Adam Wheeler and Eli Parsons

    Ch. 1270 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 378 · 1787 · Original text

  62. Alter and amend the act entitled "An act for the relief of officers, soldiers and seamen who in the courses of the late war have been wounded or otherwise disabled in the service of this state or of the United States."

    Ch. 1271 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 380 · 1787 · Original text

  63. Incorporate the Presbyterian Congregation of the township of Leacock in the county of Lancaster

    Ch. 1272 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 383 · 1787 · Original text

  64. Incorporating the United Episcopal Churches of Trinity church in Oxford township and All Saints' church in Lower Dublin township in Philadelphia county and Saint Thomas's church in Whitemarsh township in Montgomery county

    Ch. 1273 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 385 · 1787 · Original text

  65. Incorporate and endow the German college and charity school in the borough and county of Lancaster in this state

    Ch. 1274 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 391 · 1787 · Original text

  66. Amend an act entitled "An act for the regulation of bankruptcy."

    Ch. 1275 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 398 · 1787 · Original text

  67. Explain and amend "An act to encourage and protect the manufactures of this state by laying additional duties on the importation of certain manufactures which interfere with them" and for the further encouragement of the navigation of the state

    Ch. 1276 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 403 · 1787 · Original text

  68. Direct and authorize the laying out of a highway through this state from the waters of the river Potomac to the river Ohio in order to extend and facilitate the intercourse which is designed to be opened between the same rivers

    Ch. 1277 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 409 · 1787 · Original text

  69. Revive the incorporation of the subscribers to the Bank of North America

    Ch. 1278 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 412 · 1787 · Original text

  70. Securing the city of Philadelphia and the neighborhood thereof from damage by gunpowder

    Ch. 1279 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 416 · 1787 · Original text

  71. Supplement to the act entitled "An act appointing deputies to the convention intended to be held in the city of Philadelphia for the purpose of revising the federal constitution."

    Ch. 1280 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 423 · 1787 · Original text

  72. Establishing a court of admiralty sessions for the trial of crimes and offenses other than piracies and felonies committed on the high seas or within admiralty jurisdiction

    Ch. 1281 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 424 · 1787 · Original text

  73. Supplement "An act for the further relief of the public creditors who are citizens of this state by receiving on loan certain debts of the United States of America and for funding the same and for paying the annual interest of such loans ..."

    Ch. 1282 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 426 · 1787 · Original text

  74. Facilitating the redemption of the bills of credit emitted the year 1781 and for redeeming part of the funded debt of the state by the speedy collection of the arrearages due for unpatented lands which were located before the declaration of independency

    Ch. 1283 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 428 · 1787 · Original text

  75. Make effectual provision for the payment of 130,000 pounds sterling granted to the late proprietaries of Pennsylvania by "An act for vesting the estates of the late proprietaries of Pennsylvania in this commonwealth," etc.

    Ch. 1284 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 431 · 1787 · Original text

  76. Ascertaining and confirming to certain persons called Connecticut claimants the lands by them claimed within the county of Luzerne and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1285 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 436 · 1787 · Original text

  77. Granting and securing to John Fitch the sole right and advantages of making and employing the steamboat by him lately invented for a limited time

    Ch. 1286 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 441 · 1787 · Original text

  78. Incorporate the Presbyterian Church in the township of Londonderry in the county of Dauphin

    Ch. 1287 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 442 · 1787 · Original text

  79. Incorporate the Presbyterian Congregation in Tinicum Township in the County of Bucks

    Ch. 1288 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 448 · 1787 · Original text

  80. Incorporating the Presbyterian Congregation in New London in the county of Chester

    Ch. 1289 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 455 · 1787 · Original text

  81. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for reestablishing the character of the Second Presbyterian church in the city of Philadelphia" and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1290 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 460 · 1787 · Original text

  82. Incorporate the Union Library Company of Hatborough in the manor of Moreland county of Montgomery

    Ch. 1291 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 462 · 1787 · Original text

  83. Incorporate the Baptist Church and Congregation in Lower Dublin Township in the County of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 1292 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 466 · 1787 · Original text

  84. Enlarge the lots in the state house square appropriated for building thereon respectively county and city court houses

    Ch. 1293 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 472 · 1787 · Original text

  85. Alter the test of allegiance to this commonwealth required by "An act for securing to this commonwealth the fidelity and allegiance of the inhabitants thereof and for admitting certain persons to the right of citizenship."

    Ch. 1294 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 473 · 1787 · Original text

  86. Opening and establishing a road between the navigable waters of the Frankstown branch of the river Juniata and the river Conemaugh

    Ch. 1295 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 475 · 1787 · Original text

  87. Granting 200 pounds of the unappropriated moneys of this commonwealth for mending and repairing the road from Hamburg on the Schuylkill to the Northumberland county line by Conrad Minick's sawmill

    Ch. 1296 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 477 · 1787 · Original text

  88. Opening a road between the river Susquehanna at the falls of Nescopeck and the Lehigh at or near the Union Saw Mill

    Ch. 1297 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 479 · 1787 · Original text

  89. Incorporate and endow the Academy of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the City of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1298 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 479 · 1787 · Original text

  90. Grant to Oliver Evans for a term of years the sole and exclusive rights of making and selling within this commonwealth the machines herein described

    Ch. 1299 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 483 · 1787 · Original text

  91. Establish a public ferry over the river Schuylkill near Spring Mill in the county of Montgomery and vesting the right in Peter Le Gaux, his heirs and assigns

    Ch. 1300 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 485 · 1787 · Original text

  92. Divide the county of Franklin into election districts and to alter the place of holding the general election in the sixth district in the county of Bedford and for making the townships of Grenwood and Rye in the county of Cumberland a sixth district

    Ch. 1301 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 486 · 1787 · Original text

  93. Future endowment of the Pittsburg Academy

    Ch. 1302 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 489 · 1787 · Original text

  94. Incorporate the German Lutheran Congregation in the Borough of Reading in the County of Berks

    Ch. 1303 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 490 · 1787 · Original text

  95. Granting unto George Wall, Junior, the sole and exclusive privilege of making and vending a mathematical instrument by him invented for the term of twenty-one years

    Ch. 1304 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 495 · 1787 · Original text

  96. Confirm and amend the charter of incorporation of the United Swedish Lutheran Churches of Wicacoa, Kingsessing and Upper Merion, called Gloria Dei, Saint James' and Christ Church

    Ch. 1305 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 496 · 1787 · Original text

  97. Empower the supreme executive council to lay out a town and otherwise apportion the lands reserved to the use of the state by "An act for the sale of certain lands therein mentioned for the purpose of redeeming and paying off the certificates ..."

    Ch. 1306 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 500 · 1787 · Original text

  98. Repeal part of "An act to regulate the general elections of this commonwealth and to prevent frauds therein" and to amend and alter the "Act for the better regulation of juries."

    Ch. 1307 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 502 · 1787 · Original text

  99. Incorporate the Upper Presbyterian Congregation of Marsh Creek in the county of York

    Ch. 1308 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 502 · 1787 · Original text

  100. Relief of Paul Hausman an insolvent debtor confined in the gaol of the county of Lancaster

    Ch. 1309 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 509 · 1787 · 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.