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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. Divide Washington county into election districts

    Ch. 1310 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 510 · 1787 · Original text

  2. Erecting part of Bedford county into a separate county (named Huntingdon)

    Ch. 1311 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 512 · 1787 · Original text

  3. Incorporate the Protestant Episcopal Church of Saint John at Yorktown

    Ch. 1312 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 518 · 1787 · Original text

  4. Establishing and building a bridge across Conestoga creek in the county of Lancaster

    Ch. 1313 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 524 · 1787 · Original text

  5. Incorporate and endow an academy or public school in the town of Washington

    Ch. 1314 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 527 · 1787 · Original text

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

    Ch. 1315 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 532 · 1787 · Original text

  7. Regulate and declare escheats

    Ch. 1316 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 556 · 1787 · Original text

  8. Incorporating the German Reformed Congregation of Frankford in the township of Oxford and county of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1317 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 566 · 1787 · Original text

  9. Regulating chimney sweepers within the city of Philadelphia, the district of Southwark and township of the Northern Liberties in the county of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1318 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 573 · 1787 · Original text

  10. Compensating such as have advanced money for raising and enlisting men required from the several companies of militia by "An act for the greater ease of the militia and the more speedy and effectual defense of this state" and compelling an accounting

    Ch. 1319 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 577 · 1787 · Original text

  11. Continue the act of general assembly entitled "An act for opening and better amending and keeping in repair the public roads and highways within this province."

    Ch. 1320 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 579 · 1787 · Original text

  12. Appoint commissioners to regulate the streets, lanes and alleys in the district of Southwark and to lay out new streets, lanes and alleys therein and to lay out the roads through the district and parts of the townships of Moyamensing and Passyunk

    Ch. 1321 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 580 · 1787 · Original text

  13. Provide for the continuation of the salaries of the officers of the land office and to ascertain and provide the salary for the judge of the admiralty and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1322 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 585 · 1787 · Original text

  14. Enable the sheriff and justices of the peace for the county of Luzerne to confine prisoners in the common gaol of the county of Northampton and to empower the commissioners to run the line from the mouth of Nescopeck creek dividing the counties

    Ch. 1323 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 587 · 1787 · Original text

  15. Empower certain members of the corporation of the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of the United Episcopal Churches of Christ Church and Saint Peter's church in the city of Philadelphia to sell a certain lot of ground in Northern Liberties

    Ch. 1324 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 589 · 1787 · Original text

  16. Incorporate the Presbyterian Congregation of the town of Pittsburgh and vicinity thereof in the county of Westmoreland

    Ch. 1325 · 12 Pa. Stat. at Large 591 · 1787 · Original text

  17. Supplement to "An act to alter and amend an act entitled 'An act to remedy the defects of the several acts of assembly heretofore made for regulating the elections of justices of the peace throughout this state and ... peace elect.' "

    Ch. 1329 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 9 · 1788 · Original text

  18. Authorizing the supreme executive council to draw an order on the treasurer of this state for the sum of 79 pounds 10 shillings in favor of Alexander McDowell

    Ch. 1330 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 10 · 1788 · Original text

  19. Vesting the public store house and two lots of ground in the borough and county of Lancaster in the trustees of Franklin College for the use of the said institution

    Ch. 1331 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 11 · 1788 · Original text

  20. Incorporate the society for propagating the Gospel among the heathen formed by members of the Episcopal church of the United Brethren or Unitas Fratrum

    Ch. 1332 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 12 · 1788 · Original text

  21. Incorporate the first Presbyterian congregation of the Big Spring in Newton township in Cumberland county

    Ch. 1333 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 15 · 1788 · Original text

  22. Supplement to "An act for 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 ... Schuylkill."

    Ch. 1334 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 21 · 1788 · Original text

  23. Erecting a certain district of country in which the court house in Chester county stands into a county town (named West Chester)

    Ch. 1335 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 23 · 1788 · Original text

  24. Enable the commissioners of the county of Chester to sell and convey a certain lot of land in the township of East Caln and county aforesaid for the use of the said county

    Ch. 1336 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 24 · 1788 · Original text

  25. Enable the owners and possessors of a certain tract of marsh and meadow land therein described situate in the counties of Philadelphia and Chester to keep the banks, dams, sluices and flood gates in repair and to raise a fund to defray the expense thereof

    Ch. 1337 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 25 · 1788 · Original text

  26. Incorporate and endow an academy or public school in the borough of Reading in the county of Berks

    Ch. 1338 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 37 · 1788 · Original text

  27. Additional supplement to the acts for the regulation of the militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 1339 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 41 · 1788 · Original text

  28. Destroying the bills of credit of this commonwealth emitted in pursuance of an "An act for funding and redeeming the bills of credit of the United States of America and for providing means to bring the present war to a happy conclusion."

    Ch. 1340 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 45 · 1788 · Original text

  29. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for regulating the measurement of corn and salt imported into the port of Philadelphia."

    Ch. 1341 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 46 · 1788 · Original text

  30. Opening and establishing certain roads in the counties of Northampton and Luzerne

    Ch. 1342 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 48 · 1788 · Original text

  31. Granting the sum of 100 pounds for the relief of James McManas

    Ch. 1343 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 50 · 1788 · Original text

  32. Exonerate Joseph Fry, door keeper of the House of Representatives, from any charge for rent or other demands for or on account of his occupying of part of the western wing of the state house and consuming the herbage of the state house yard

    Ch. 1344 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 51 · 1788 · Original text

  33. Explain and amend an act entitled "An act for the gradual abolition of slavery."

    Ch. 1345 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 52 · 1788 · Original text

  34. Lay a duty on foreign barley and malt imported into this state

    Ch. 1346 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 57 · 1788 · Original text

  35. Encourage and protect the manufactures of this state

    Ch. 1347 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 58 · 1788 · Original text

  36. Facilitating the redemption of the bills of credit emitted in the year 1781 and for redeeming part of the funded debt of this state, for extending the time for patenting lands which were located before the declaration of independency, etc.

    Ch. 1348 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 62 · 1788 · Original text

  37. Suspend an act entitled "An act for 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. 1349 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 64 · 1788 · Original text

  38. Relief of James Parker, an insolvent debtor confined in the gaol of the city and county of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1350 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 66 · 1788 · Original text

  39. Vesting in Thomas Gordon, his heirs and assigns, certain estates forfeited to this commonwealth by virtue of his attainder of high treason

    Ch. 1351 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 67 · 1788 · Original text

  40. Allowing a further time to distribute the donation lands promised to the troops of this commonwealth

    Ch. 1352 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 69 · 1788 · Original text

  41. Incorporate the members of the religious society of Roman Catholics belonging to the congregation of Saint Mary's Church in the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1353 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 70 · 1788 · Original text

  42. Alter and amend so much of the several impost laws of this state as confines the allowing of drawbacks on goods exported to the original importers thereof and obliges the exporter to produce certificates of the landing of such goods

    Ch. 1354 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 73 · 1788 · Original text

  43. Incorporate the Presbyterian Church of Middle Octarara in Bart township in the county of Lancaster

    Ch. 1355 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 74 · 1788 · Original text

  44. Relief of the suffering inhabitants of the townships of Wayne and Derry in the county of Cumberland

    Ch. 1356 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 81 · 1788 · Original text

  45. Compensate the service of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Mentges in inspecting the militia of the state and the public arms and stores

    Ch. 1357 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 82 · 1788 · Original text

  46. Suspend for six months the powers of the commissioners of the several counties of this state to make sale of unseated lands for non-payment of taxes

    Ch. 1358 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 83 · 1788 · Original text

  47. Erecting certain parts of the counties of Westmoreland and Washington into a separate county (named Allegheny)

    Ch. 1359 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 84 · 1788 · Original text

  48. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to divide Washington county into election districts."

    Ch. 1360 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 90 · 1788 · Original text

  49. Erect the townships of Penns and Beaver in the county of Northumberland into a separate election district and alter the place of holding elections in the third district in the said county of Northumberland

    Ch. 1361 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 91 · 1788 · Original text

  50. Alter certain election districts within the counties of Dauphin and Franklin and to establish new ones therein

    Ch. 1362 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 92 · 1788 · Original text

  51. Exonerate the frontier inhabitants of Washington county from the payment of taxes

    Ch. 1363 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 94 · 1788 · Original text

  52. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to alter and amend an act entitled 'An act for granting and disposing of the unappropriated lands within this state.' "

    Ch. 1364 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 95 · 1788 · Original text

  53. Establish a board of wardens for the port of Philadelphia and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1365 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 97 · 1788 · Original text

  54. Appoint commissioners to settle the accounts of certain commissioners who were appointed to settle the accounts of the managers of a lottery for erecting a bridge over Skippack creek in the then county of Philadelphia (now Montgomery)

    Ch. 1366 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 126 · 1788 · Original text

  55. Authorize the supreme executive council to draw on the state treasurer for a sum of money for defraying the expense of purchasing of the Indians lands on Lake Erie

    Ch. 1367 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 129 · 1788 · Original text

  56. Incorporate the Episcopal Congregation of Saint James at Perkiomen in the township of New Providence and county of Montgomery

    Ch. 1368 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 130 · 1788 · Original text

  57. Vesting a lot of ground herein described with the buildings and improvements thereon erected and made in the trustees of Dickinson College in the borough of Carlisle in the bounty of Cumberland

    Ch. 1369 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 132 · 1788 · Original text

  58. Aid of an act of the Delaware state for the settlement of the accounts of the Wilmington lottery

    Ch. 1370 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 135 · 1788 · Original text

  59. Recompense John Hague for introducing into this state a useful machine for carding cotton

    Ch. 1371 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 138 · 1788 · Original text

  60. Payment of an additional sum of money to Gunning Bedford and others for their services in erecting a triumphal arch in the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1372 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 139 · 1788 · Original text

  61. Directing the time, places and manner of holding elections for representatives of this state in the congress of the United States and for appointing electors on the part of this state for choosing a president and vice-president of the United States

    Ch. 1373 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 140 · 1788 · Original text

  62. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to enforce the due collection and payment of taxes within this commonwealth."

    Ch. 1374 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 145 · 1788 · Original text

  63. Better ascertaining and making good loses of public moneys by robberies

    Ch. 1375 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 150 · 1788 · Original text

  64. Supplement to "An act for erecting the southern suburbs of the city of Philadelphia into the district of Southwark, for making the streets and roads already laid out therein public roads and highways and for regulating such other streets ... mentioned."

    Ch. 1376 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 153 · 1788 · Original text

  65. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for regulating the fishery in the river Connestoga in the county of Lancaster."

    Ch. 1377 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 160 · 1788 · Original text

  66. Grant the sum of 187 pounds 10 shillings to Captain William Ross in consideration of his services to this commonwealth

    Ch. 1378 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 162 · 1788 · Original text

  67. Rewarding the person or persons concerned in apprehending George Sinclaire attainted by outlawry

    Ch. 1379 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 163 · 1788 · Original text

  68. Incorporate the members of the religious society of German Roman Catholics of the church called the Holy Trinity in the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1380 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 164 · 1788 · Original text

  69. Relief of Sarah Caldwell

    Ch. 1381 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 169 · 1788 · Original text

  70. Enable such persons who are entitled to vote in the election of representatives of this state in the House of Representatives of the United States to give their votes in the several places where public business shall require their attendance

    Ch. 1382 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 171 · 1788 · Original text

  71. Suspend for a limited time the collection of all militia fines incurred under laws passed before March 22, 1788

    Ch. 1383 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 173 · 1788 · Original text

  72. Supplement to "An act to provide for the payment of the principal and interest of such of the bills emitted pursuant to resolution of congress of March 18, 1780, and an act of June 1, 1780," etc.

    Ch. 1384 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 174 · 1788 · Original text

  73. Relief of Henry Cleland Baker, Joseph Richard Robeson, Benjamin Burton and Robert Hunter, insolvent debtors confined in the gaol of the city and county of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1385 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 175 · 1788 · Original text

  74. Incorporate the Presbyterian congregation of Tredyffrin township in the county of Chester

    Ch. 1386 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 176 · 1788 · Original text

  75. Enable aliens to purchase and hold real estate within this commonwealth

    Ch. 1387 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 179 · 1789 · Original text

  76. Establish a volunteer company of artillery in the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1388 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 180 · 1789 · Original text

  77. Repeal an act entitled "An act to suspend the powers of the trustees of Westmoreland county."

    Ch. 1389 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 180 · 1789 · Original text

  78. Granting to the corporation of the ministers, vestrymen and church-wardens of the German Lutheran congregation in and near the city of Philadelphia certain lands therein mentioned for endowing a free school for the use of the poor of the said congregation

    Ch. 1390 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 182 · 1789 · Original text

  79. Repeal so much of an act of General Assembly of this commonwealth as prohibits dramatic entertainments within the city of Philadelphia and the neighborhood thereof

    Ch. 1391 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 184 · 1789 · Original text

  80. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for erecting part of Bedford county into a separate county."

    Ch. 1392 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 186 · 1789 · Original text

  81. Repeal part of "An act to confirm the estates and interests of the College, Academy and Charitable School of the city of Philadelphia and to amend and alter the charters thereof conformably to the revolution and to the constitution ... university."

    Ch. 1393 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 187 · 1789 · Original text

  82. Incorporate the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1394 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 193 · 1789 · Original text

  83. Supplement to an act entitled "An act more effectually to prevent unfair practices in the packing of beef and pork for exportation and to regulate the exportation of flaxseed, butter and biscuits in kegs."

    Ch. 1395 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 215 · 1789 · Original text

  84. Repeal all the laws of this commonwealth requiring any oath or affirmation of allegiance from the habitants thereof

    Ch. 1396 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 222 · 1789 · Original text

  85. Suspend the sale of lands for non-payment of taxes and for other purposed therein mentioned

    Ch. 1397 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 224 · 1789 · Original text

  86. Aid of the Callowhill Market in the township of the Northern Liberties

    Ch. 1398 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 225 · 1789 · Original text

  87. Relief of Robert Beatty and Benjamin Moore, insolvent collectors confined in the gaols of Cumberland and Dauphin counties

    Ch. 1399 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 227 · 1789 · Original text

  88. Supplement to the several acts of general assembly respecting public auctions and auctioneers

    Ch. 1400 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 228 · 1789 · Original text

  89. Compensating Evan Owen for supplies by him furnished the civil officers of Northumberland county in the year 1775

    Ch. 1401 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 230 · 1789 · Original text

  90. Enlarging the time limited by "An act for facilitating the redemption of the bills of credit emitted in the year 1781 and for redeeming part of the founded debt of this state, for extending the time ... occupied."

    Ch. 1402 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 231 · 1789 · Original text

  91. Empowering certain trustees therein named to sell and dispose of a certain house and lot of ground situate in the town of Easton and county of Northampton and to appropriate the moneys for a parsonage of four Protestant Reformed German Congregations

    Ch. 1403 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 233 · 1789 · Original text

  92. Appropriate divers funds accruing and growing due to this commonwealth towards the payment of the expenses of government and to provide a fund for other purposes

    Ch. 1404 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 234 · 1789 · Original text

  93. Repeal so much of "An act for raising and collecting of money on the specified articles therein mentioned for the support of government and for other purposes therein mentioned" as imposes a tax on possessors of any one-horse wagon, etc.

    Ch. 1405 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 237 · 1789 · Original text

  94. Enable the rector, church-wardens and vestry-men of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Saint John at Yorktown to mortgage the parsonage-house and certain lots of ground

    Ch. 1406 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 238 · 1789 · Original text

  95. Assist the cotton manufacturers of this state

    Ch. 1407 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 239 · 1789 · Original text

  96. Incorporation of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1408 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 240 · 1789 · Original text

  97. Amend an act entitled "An act for amending the penal laws of this state."

    Ch. 1409 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 243 · 1789 · Original text

  98. More effectual collection of the poor tax in the city of Philadelphia, the district of Southwark and the townships of Moyamensing and the Northern Liberties and to provide in a more convenient and salutary manner for the confinement of disorderly persons

    Ch. 1410 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 251 · 1789 · Original text

  99. Supplement to the several acts of assembly for the relief of insolvent debtors

    Ch. 1411 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 256 · 1789 · Original text

  100. Granting trials at nisi prius in the county of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1412 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 258 · 1789 · 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.