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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 the granting of special courts on the plaintiff's application

    Ch. 1413 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 260 · 1789 · Original text

  2. Prevent the importation of convicts into this commonwealth

    Ch. 1414 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 261 · 1789 · Original text

  3. Repeal so much of any act or acts of assembly of this commonwealth as directs the payment of the new loan debt or the interest thereof beyond the first day of April next and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1415 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 263 · 1789 · Original text

  4. Establish a board of appeal within the several counties of this state and to grant exonerations in cases of militia fines

    Ch. 1416 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 267 · 1789 · Original text

  5. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to establish a board of wardens for the port of Philadelphia and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 1417 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 269 · 1789 · Original text

  6. Aid of the roads therein mentioned

    Ch. 1418 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 275 · 1789 · Original text

  7. Raising by way of lottery the sum of $8,000 for defraying the expense of erecting a common hall in the city of Philadelphia and $2,000 for the use of Dickinson College in the borough of Carlisle

    Ch. 1419 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 276 · 1789 · Original text

  8. Enable the justices of the orphans' court to authorize and empower Frances Budden to sell and convey so much of the lands and tenements of her late husband James Budden, deceased, as shall be necessary for the payment of his debts, etc.

    Ch. 1420 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 283 · 1789 · Original text

  9. Incorporate the Newtown Library Company in Bucks county

    Ch. 1421 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 284 · 1789 · Original text

  10. Enable John Hewson to enlarge and carry on the business of calico printing and bleaching within this state

    Ch. 1422 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 288 · 1789 · Original text

  11. Appointment of a register-general for the purpose of registering the accounts of this state

    Ch. 1423 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 289 · 1789 · Original text

  12. Supplement to the act entitled "A supplement to the act entitled 'An act to enforce the due collection and payment of taxes within this commonwealth.'"

    Ch. 1424 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 292 · 1789 · Original text

  13. Enable the owners and possessors of a certain tract of marsh and meadow land therein described situate in the county of Chester to keep the banks, dams, sluices and floodgates in repair and to raise a fund to defray the expense thereof

    Ch. 1425 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 294 · 1789 · Original text

  14. Erect Wyoming township and that part of Catawissa and Mahoning townships hereinafter described in the county of Northumberland into a separate election district

    Ch. 1426 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 304 · 1789 · Original text

  15. Alter the times of holding the courts of general quarter sessions of the peace and gaol delivery in the several counties within this commonwealth

    Ch. 1427 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 305 · 1789 · Original text

  16. Separating Newberry township in the county of York from the fifth and annexing it to the first election district of that county and to enable the freemen of Manahan, Warrington, Huntington and Reading townships to hold general elections at the Butt home

    Ch. 1428 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 306 · 1789 · Original text

  17. Divide the county of Luzerne into election districts

    Ch. 1429 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 307 · 1789 · Original text

  18. Grant and secure to Robert Leslie for a limited time the sole and exclusive right and benefit of constructing, making and selling within this commonwealth the improvements by him lately invented on clocks and watches

    Ch. 1430 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 309 · 1789 · Original text

  19. Relief of James Pettigrew an insolvent debtor in the county of Northampton confined in the gaol of said county

    Ch. 1431 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 312 · 1789 · Original text

  20. Authorize George Frey of Middletown in the county of Dauphin to support a mill-dam across Swatara creek and to oblige him to maintain a free navigation for boats and other craft along his mill-race into his milldam

    Ch. 1432 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 313 · 1789 · Original text

  21. 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 the laws heretofore made for that purpose."

    Ch. 1433 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 315 · 1789 · Original text

  22. Cede to the United States the right to exercise exclusive legislation over such districts as may become the seat of government thereof within this commonwealth

    Ch. 1434 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 318 · 1789 · Original text

  23. Annexing part of the county of Washington to the county of Allegheny

    Ch. 1435 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 319 · 1789 · Original text

  24. Erecting certain parts of Cumberland and Northumberland counties into a separate county (named Mifflin)

    Ch. 1436 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 321 · 1789 · Original text

  25. Divide the county of Berks into election districts

    Ch. 1437 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 326 · 1789 · Original text

  26. Erecting the town of Easton in the county of Northampton into a borough and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1438 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 327 · 1789 · Original text

  27. Grant to the corporation of the minister, trustees, elders and deacons of the German Reformed Congregation in the city of Philadelphia certain lands therein mentioned for endowing a free school for the use of the poor of the said congregation

    Ch. 1439 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 333 · 1789 · Original text

  28. Remedy the defects of an act entitled "A 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 biscuit in kegs.' "

    Ch. 1440 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 334 · 1789 · Original text

  29. Repeal certain parts of an act entitled "An act for incorporating the Presbyterian congregation of New London in the county of Chester."

    Ch. 1441 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 335 · 1789 · Original text

  30. Further to continue an act entitled "An act to suspend the sale of lands for non-payment of taxes and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 1442 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 336 · 1789 · Original text

  31. Dividing the county of Chester and to erect part thereof into a separate county (named Delaware)

    Ch. 1443 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 337 · 1789 · Original text

  32. Enable the owners and possessors of a certain tract of meadow land situated in the precinct of Richmond in the township of the Northern Liberties to keep the bank, dams, sluices and flood-gates in repair

    Ch. 1444 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 343 · 1789 · Original text

  33. Supplement to the several laws of this commonwealth respecting attachments

    Ch. 1445 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 351 · 1789 · Original text

  34. Appropriate the sum of 5,000 pounds annually for the purpose therein mentioned

    Ch. 1446 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 354 · 1789 · Original text

  35. Authorize the supreme executive council to draw on the state treasurer for an additional sum of money for defraying the expense of purchasing of the Indians land on Lake Erie

    Ch. 1447 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 357 · 1789 · Original text

  36. In favor of John Houston

    Ch. 1448 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 358 · 1789 · Original text

  37. Empowering Mary Pine to dispose of by way of lottery a certain lot and buildings thereon erected together with a collection of paintings and prints lately the property of her deceased husband Robert Edge Pine

    Ch. 1449 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 358 · 1789 · Original text

  38. Vesting in James Rumsey, Esquire, the exclusive right and privilege of making, using and vending divers engines, machines and devices by him invented or improved, for a term of years therein mentioned

    Ch. 1450 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 361 · 1789 · Original text

  39. Inspection of shingles

    Ch. 1451 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 366 · 1789 · Original text

  40. Relating to sheriffs and coroners

    Ch. 1452 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 368 · 1789 · Original text

  41. Cede to and vest in the United States the light-house at cape Henlopen and all the beacons, buoys and public piers, together with the lands and tenements thereunto belonging and together with the jurisdiction of the same

    Ch. 1453 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 371 · 1789 · Original text

  42. Relating to drawbacks and discounts

    Ch. 1454 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 372 · 1789 · Original text

  43. Regulating certain election districts in the counties of Westmoreland and Allegheny

    Ch. 1455 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 374 · 1789 · Original text

  44. Relating to several election districts in the counties of Bedford and Mifflin

    Ch. 1456 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 376 · 1789 · Original text

  45. Establish and confirm the boundary line between this state and the state of New York

    Ch. 1457 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 378 · 1789 · Original text

  46. Provide for the payment of the demands of Joseph Perkins, Abram Morrow and John Nicholson upon this commonwealth

    Ch. 1458 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 382 · 1789 · Original text

  47. Relief of Robert Ross and Francis White

    Ch. 1459 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 383 · 1789 · Original text

  48. Supplement to "An act raising by way of lottery the sum of $8,000 for defraying the expense of erecting a common hall in the city of Philadelphia and $2,000 for the use of Dickinson College in the borough of Carlisle."

    Ch. 1460 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 385 · 1789 · Original text

  49. Incorporating the society formed for the relief of distressed and decayed pilots, their widows and children

    Ch. 1461 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 387 · 1789 · Original text

  50. Incorporating the German Lutheran Congregation worshipping at the church called S. Peter's in Pikeland township in the county of Chester

    Ch. 1462 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 392 · 1789 · Original text

  51. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for the appointment of a register-general for the purpose of registering the accounts of this state."

    Ch. 1463 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 400 · 1789 · Original text

  52. Incorporating the German Lutheran Congregation worshipping at the church called Zion in Pikeland township in the county of Chester

    Ch. 1464 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 403 · 1789 · Original text

  53. Ascertain the security to be given by the treasurer of the state for the time being

    Ch. 1465 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 410 · 1789 · Original text

  54. Granting present relief to the wounded and disabled soldiers who have received pensions from this state

    Ch. 1466 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 411 · 1789 · Original text

  55. Repeal so much of an act or acts of the general assembly of this state as authorizes and directs the receiving of certificates of the United States in payment of lands purchased or to be purchased by this state

    Ch. 1467 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 413 · 1789 · Original text

  56. Limit the time of exhibiting claims against the state for supplies furnished or services rendered during the late war

    Ch. 1468 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 414 · 1789 · Original text

  57. Defray the expenses of holding the state convention

    Ch. 1469 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 415 · 1789 · Original text

  58. Limit the time for exchanging and redeeming certain bills of credit and certificates therein mentioned

    Ch. 1470 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 416 · 1789 · Original text

  59. Continue an act entitled "An act for opening and amending the public roads and highways within this province."

    Ch. 1471 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 418 · 1789 · Original text

  60. Provide for the custody of prisoners committed under the authority of the United States

    Ch. 1472 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 419 · 1789 · Original text

  61. Suspend for the time therein mentioned part of an act entitled "An act for furnishing the quota of this state towards paying the annual interest of the debts of the United States and for funding and paying the interest of the public debts of this state."

    Ch. 1473 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 420 · 1789 · Original text

  62. Repeal so much of "An act to provide for a 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" as relates to judge of admiralty

    Ch. 1474 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 422 · 1789 · Original text

  63. Provide for the salaries of officers of the land office

    Ch. 1475 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 423 · 1789 · Original text

  64. Incorporate a society by the name of "The Pennsylvania Society for promoting the abolition of slavery and for the relief of free Negroes unlawfully held in bondage and for improving the condition of the African race."

    Ch. 1476 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 424 · 1789 · Original text

  65. Incorporating the Methodist Episcopal Church known by the name of Saint Georges church in the city of Philadelphia in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 1477 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 432 · 1789 · Original text

  66. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to improve the breed of horses and regulate rangers."

    Ch. 1478 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 439 · 1789 · Original text

  67. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to incorporate the city of Philadelphia."

    Ch. 1479 · 13 Pa. Stat. at Large 440 · 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.