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

615 laws of the 1790s

Constitution of 1790

  1. Continue the act for transferring certain powers formerly exercised by the supreme executive council and also by the president or vice-president thereof to the governor of this commonwealth

    Ch. 1580 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 125 · 1791 · Original text

  2. Ratifying on behalf of the State of Pennsylvania the first amendment proposed by congress to the constitution of the United States

    Ch. 1581 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 126 · 1791 · Original text

  3. Repeal so much of every act or acts of assembly of this state as relates to the collection of excise duties

    Ch. 1582 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 127 · 1791 · Original text

  4. Supplement to the penal laws of this state

    Ch. 1583 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 128 · 1791 · Original text

  5. Grant restitution in value to Thomas Gordon for lands sold by the commissioners for sale of forfeited estates, late the property of the said Thomas Gordon

    Ch. 1584 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 140 · 1791 · Original text

  6. Regulate the trials of contested elections

    Ch. 1585 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 141 · 1791 · Original text

  7. Relief of Mary Harrison

    Ch. 1586 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 147 · 1791 · Original text

  8. Act to Exonerate Robert Smith and William Richards from the payment of certain moneys found due to the commonwealth by a judgment of court from the said Robert Smith and William Richards and from Alexander Boyd

    Ch. 1587 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 148 · 1791 · Original text

  9. Enable the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for opening a canal and lock-navigation between the rivers of Schuylkill and Susquehanna by the waters of Tulpehocken, Quittapahilla and Swatara in the counties of Berks and Dauphin

    Ch. 1588 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 150 · 1791 · Original text

  10. Provide for completing the repairs of the wharf near the state hospital and for paving the footways round the state-house square and for other purposes

    Ch. 1589 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 163 · 1791 · Original text

  11. Erecting new election districts in the counties of Westmoreland, Allegheny, Berks and Northumberland and altering the place of holding the election in the second district in Cumberland county

    Ch. 1590 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 165 · 1791 · Original text

  12. Relief of the estate of Sarah Caldwell and also for the relief of Mary Beere, James Steen and John Thompson

    Ch. 1591 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 168 · 1791 · Original text

  13. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for directing the mode of distributing the donation lands promised to the troops of this commonwealth."

    Ch. 1592 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 172 · 1791 · Original text

  14. Provide more effectually for the payment of the public debts and obligations

    Ch. 1593 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 173 · 1791 · Original text

  15. Supplement to "An act to 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. 1594 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 176 · 1791 · Original text

  16. Regulate the inspection of flour in certain western counties of the state

    Ch. 1595 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 178 · 1791 · Original text

  17. Appointing other commissioners to run the boundary line between the counties of Huntingdon and Mifflin on the south side of Juniata

    Ch. 1596 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 180 · 1791 · Original text

  18. Reimburse to the mayor, aldermen and citizens of Philadelphia and to the commissioners of the county of Philadelphia the expenses accrued in providing for the temporary accommodation of the president and congress of the United States of North America

    Ch. 1597 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 181 · 1791 · Original text

  19. Unite the University of the state of Pennsylvania and the College, Academy and Charitable School of Philadelphia, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 1598 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 184 · 1791 · Original text

  20. Vesting a yearly rent-charge of five pounds issuing out of a messuage and lot of ground situate on the north side of High Street in the city of Philadelphia in a trustee to collect the arrearages of rent due and to grow due and to apply the moneys

    Ch. 1599 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 187 · 1791 · Original text

  21. Empower the governor to lay out a town and out lots at the mouth of Beaver Creek for the uses therein mentioned

    Ch. 1600 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 190 · 1791 · Original text

  22. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to establish the judicial courts of this commonwealth in conformity to the alterations and amendments in the constitution."

    Ch. 1601 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 192 · 1791 · Original text

  23. Provide for the immediate defense of the frontiers of the commonwealth

    Ch. 1602 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 196 · 1792 · Original text

  24. Prevent the sale of lottery tickets within this commonwealth

    Ch. 1603 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 198 · 1792 · Original text

  25. Supplement to "An act to enable Eleazer Oswald, guardian duly appointed to Jane Jones, Baithwaite Jones, Mary Jones and Gibbs Jones, minors, under the age of twenty-one years, to sell and convey the property therein mentioned for the ... minors."

    Ch. 1604 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 199 · 1792 · Original text

  26. Supplement to the laws made for the relief of insolvent debtors within this commonwealth

    Ch. 1605 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 200 · 1792 · Original text

  27. Further supplement to the act to incorporate the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1606 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 202 · 1792 · Original text

  28. Revive and continue in force for a limited time an act entitled "An act to enable aliens to purchase and hold real estate within this commonwealth."

    Ch. 1607 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 203 · 1792 · Original text

  29. Vest in the widow of John Roberts, deceased, and in Abraham Carlile, the only son of Abraham Carlile, deceased, respectively, such parts of their forfeited estates as have not been sold for the benefit of the commonwealth

    Ch. 1608 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 204 · 1792 · Original text

  30. Extend the time for patenting lands

    Ch. 1609 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 205 · 1792 · Original text

  31. Continue the act entitled "An act to continue the act for transferring certain powers formerly exercised by the supreme executive council and also by the president or vice-president thereof to the governor of this commonwealth."

    Ch. 1610 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 206 · 1792 · Original text

  32. Continue the act for instituting a board of property and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1611 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 206 · 1792 · Original text

  33. Enable the owners, occupiers and possessors of a certain tract of marsh and meadow land situate in the township of Tinicum and county of Delaware to keep the banks, dams, sluices and floodgates in repair and to raise a fund to defray the expense

    Ch. 1612 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 207 · 1792 · Original text

  34. Authorize the receiver general of the land office to carry moneys received into that office since a given period for lands sold to the credit of such purchasers or their assigns in payments due for the purchase of any lands within the same

    Ch. 1613 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 216 · 1792 · Original text

  35. Erecting part of Tioga and Tunkhannock election district in Luzerne country into a separate election district

    Ch. 1614 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 218 · 1792 · Original text

  36. Alter the place of holding the general elections in the second district within the county of Lancaster

    Ch. 1615 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 218 · 1792 · Original text

  37. Change the place of holding the annual election in the first election district in Westmoreland county

    Ch. 1616 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 219 · 1792 · Original text

  38. Ascertaining the boundary line between Huntingdon and Mifflin counties on the south side of Juniata

    Ch. 1617 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 219 · 1792 · Original text

  39. Enable executors and administrators by leave of court to convey lands and tenements contracted for with their decedents and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1618 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 220 · 1792 · Original text

  40. Annexing the Loganian Library to the library belonging to the Library Company of Philadelphia and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1619 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 223 · 1792 · Original text

  41. Authorize the register general and comptroller general to adjust and settle the accounts of John Wetzel

    Ch. 1620 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 227 · 1792 · Original text

  42. Dividing the fourth election district in Bedford county into two separate election districts

    Ch. 1621 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 228 · 1792 · Original text

  43. Supplement to the several acts for raising county rates and levies

    Ch. 1622 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 229 · 1792 · Original text

  44. Declaring Little Lehigh and Pocopoco or Big Creek in Northampton county and Penn's Creek in Northumberland county public highways

    Ch. 1623 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 231 · 1792 · Original text

  45. Sale of the vacant lands within this commonwealth

    Ch. 1624 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 232 · 1792 · Original text

  46. Establishing and building a bridge across the river Lehigh at Bethlehem in the county of Northampton

    Ch. 1625 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 240 · 1792 · Original text

  47. Vest in Christopher Zimmerman and David Sower in trust for the use of the legal representatives of Christopher Sower, deceased, such parts of his forfeited estate as have not been sold for the benefit of the commonwealth

    Ch. 1626 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 243 · 1792 · Original text

  48. Provide for the settlement of public accounts and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1627 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 243 · 1792 · Original text

  49. Establishing a nightly watch, providing lamps and supporting pumps for public use in the borough of Lancaster in the county of Lancaster

    Ch. 1628 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 250 · 1792 · Original text

  50. Empower the governor to draw a warrant on the treasurer of this commonwealth in favor of Charles Wilson Peale for purposes mentioned

    Ch. 1629 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 260 · 1792 · Original text

  51. Supplement to the act entitled "An act authorizing and directing the state treasurer to subscribe in the name of the commonwealth to the loan proposed by the United States and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 1630 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 262 · 1792 · Original text

  52. Establishing the seal of the high court of errors and appeals

    Ch. 1631 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 262 · 1792 · Original text

  53. Unite the fifth and sixth election districts in the county of Washington

    Ch. 1632 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 263 · 1792 · Original text

  54. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to provide for the support of the government of this commonwealth."

    Ch. 1633 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 264 · 1792 · Original text

  55. Erecting the township of Newton and part of West Pennsborough in Cumberland county into a separate election district

    Ch. 1634 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 265 · 1792 · Original text

  56. Further supplement to the act entitled "An act to establish the judicial courts of this commonwealth in conformity to the alterations and amendments in the constitution."

    Ch. 1635 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 266 · 1792 · Original text

  57. Relief and support of poor confined debtors

    Ch. 1636 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 267 · 1792 · Original text

  58. Supplement to the several acts of the general assembly of this commonwealth for distributing the donation lands promised to the troops of this state

    Ch. 1637 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 270 · 1792 · Original text

  59. Directing the time, places and manner of holding elections for representatives of the people of this state in the congress of the Unites States and for electors of a president and vice-president of the United States

    Ch. 1638 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 271 · 1792 · Original text

  60. Provide for printing, publishing and distributing the laws of this commonwealth and to direct a proper index to be made of the records of the executive department

    Ch. 1639 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 274 · 1792 · Original text

  61. Enable the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the city of Philadelphia to the borough of Lancaster

    Ch. 1640 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 279 · 1792 · Original text

  62. Alter the place of holding the annual election in the second district within the county of Bedford

    Ch. 1641 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 294 · 1792 · Original text

  63. Provide payment of certain incidental expenses of the late general assembly of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and of the late committee of safety

    Ch. 1642 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 294 · 1792 · Original text

  64. Relief of Jane Collins

    Ch. 1643 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 296 · 1792 · Original text

  65. Extending the time limited by "A supplement to the act entitled 'An act for directing the mode of distributing the donation lands promised to the troops of this commonwealth' " for receiving applications for certain lands

    Ch. 1644 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 297 · 1792 · Original text

  66. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to provide for the opening and improving of sundry navigable waters and roads within this commonwealth."

    Ch. 1645 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 298 · 1792 · Original text

  67. Provide for the paying and redeeming certain public debts and for defraying the expenses of government

    Ch. 1646 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 305 · 1792 · Original text

  68. Enable the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for opening a canal and water communication between the rivers Delaware and Schuylkill and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1647 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 313 · 1792 · Original text

  69. Require of the officers in the different departments of the state an account of the fees they severally charge in their offices

    Ch. 1648 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 329 · 1792 · Original text

  70. Empower the commissioners of Fayette county to raise a further sum of money for the purpose of erecting public buildings for the use of the said county

    Ch. 1649 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 330 · 1793 · Original text

  71. Revive certain powers in the justices of the supreme court and to vest similar powers in the judges of the several courts of common pleas in this commonwealth

    Ch. 1650 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 331 · 1793 · Original text

  72. Change the place of holding the annual election in the fifth election district in the county of Bedford

    Ch. 1651 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 332 · 1793 · Original text

  73. Supplement to "An act to 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 ... materials."

    Ch. 1652 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 333 · 1793 · Original text

  74. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to provide for the paying and redeeming certain public debts and for defraying the expenses of government."

    Ch. 1653 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 335 · 1793 · Original text

  75. Relief of John Alexander so far as relates to the imprisonment of his person

    Ch. 1654 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 337 · 1793 · Original text

  76. Confirm Daniel Leet's survey of a town and out lots at the mouth of Beaver Creek and to supersede the powers heretofore given to certain commissioners for superintending the said survey

    Ch. 1655 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 338 · 1793 · Original text

  77. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to regulate the trials of contested elections."

    Ch. 1656 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 340 · 1793 · Original text

  78. Authorize trustees to receive for a limited time the toll therein mentioned from travelers and others going over the bridge erected over Conostogoe Creek in Lancaster country where Martick Forge Road crosses the same

    Ch. 1657 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 342 · 1793 · Original text

  79. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to provide a more effectual method of settling the public accounts of the commissioners and treasurers of the respective counties."

    Ch. 1658 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 346 · 1793 · Original text

  80. Supplement to "An act to authorize the receiver general of the land office to carry moneys received into that office since a given period for lands sold and which have not been nor shall be secured to the purchasers to the credit of such purchasers ..."

    Ch. 1659 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 349 · 1793 · Original text

  81. Directing the sale of certain islands in the river Susquehanna

    Ch. 1660 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 350 · 1793 · Original text

  82. Supplement to an act declaring Little Lehigh and Pocopoco or Big Creek in Northampton county public highways

    Ch. 1661 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 352 · 1793 · Original text

  83. Relief of the representative of John Hersh

    Ch. 1662 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 353 · 1793 · Original text

  84. Authorize the commissioners of bankruptcy to proceed in business unfinished under the late bankrupt laws

    Ch. 1663 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 354 · 1793 · Original text

  85. Enable the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for the purpose of promoting the cultivation of vines and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1664 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 356 · 1793 · Original text

  86. Erecting the township of Mifflin and part of St. Clair township in the county of Allegheny into a separate election district and for other purposes

    Ch. 1665 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 361 · 1793 · Original text

  87. Provide for distributing the laws of the United States and certain laws of the commonwealth and for reprinting the provincial and state laws passed prior to October 2, 1781

    Ch. 1666 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 362 · 1793 · Original text

  88. Incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 1667 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 365 · 1793 · Original text

  89. Provide for the defence of the frontiers of the commonwealth

    Ch. 1668 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 381 · 1793 · Original text

  90. Appoint and authorize trustees to build a courthouse and offices for preserving the records of the county of Dauphin on the lot of land laid out for that purpose in the borough of Harrisburg and to appropriate the money to discharge the expenses thereof

    Ch. 1669 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 383 · 1793 · Original text

  91. Authorize John Walker to erect a wing-dam on the Conedogwinet Creek in the county of Cumberland

    Ch. 1670 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 388 · 1793 · Original text

  92. Grant relief to certain persons, late officers and soldiers in the Pennsylvania line, whose tracts of donation land are ascertained to be within the state of New York on running the boundary line of this state and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1671 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 388 · 1793 · Original text

  93. Authorize and empower Richard Keys and others to lead off and use part of the waters of the Susquehanna on their lands adjoining the Connewago Falls

    Ch. 1672 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 390 · 1793 · Original text

  94. Repeal so much of an act entitled "An act to appoint a commissioner to superintend the settlement of the accounts of this state with the United States" as relates to the duties and powers enjoined and vested in the said commissioner

    Ch. 1673 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 391 · 1793 · Original text

  95. Enabling the trustees of Washington Academy and the trustees of Pittsburg Academy to locate the lands granted said academies west of the Allegheny and Ohio rivers if they shall think proper

    Ch. 1674 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 392 · 1793 · Original text

  96. Declaring Chartiers creek a public highway

    Ch. 1675 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 392 · 1793 · Original text

  97. Further supplement to the act entitled "An act to provide for the support of the government of this commonwealth."

    Ch. 1676 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 393 · 1793 · Original text

  98. Laying out a town at Presqu Isle

    Ch. 1677 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 395 · 1793 · Original text

  99. Authorize Adam Hamaker to rebuild a mill-dam over Swatara at the place lately occupied for that purpose

    Ch. 1678 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 397 · 1793 · Original text

  100. Making certain appropriations for the year 1793

    Ch. 1679 · 14 Pa. Stat. at Large 398 · 1793 · 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.