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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

615 laws of the 1790s

Constitution of 1790

  1. Erect part of Quemahoning township in Somerset county into a separate election district

    Ch. 1981 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 60 · 1798 · Original text

  2. Declaring Pine creek in the county of Lycoming a public stream and highway

    Ch. 1982 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 60 · 1798 · Original text

  3. Authorize Edmund Milne to commence a suit against the Commonwealth upon certain claims which he has against the same

    Ch. 1983 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 61 · 1798 · Original text

  4. Grant a sum of money to the trustees of the academy and free school of Bucks county

    Ch. 1984 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 62 · 1798 · Original text

  5. Afford relief to Pittsburg Academy in the county of Allegheny

    Ch. 1985 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 63 · 1798 · Original text

  6. Erecting part of the county of Northampton into a separate county (named Wayne)

    Ch. 1986 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 64 · 1798 · Original text

  7. Declaring the rivers Ohio and Allegheny and certain branches thereof public streams or highways

    Ch. 1987 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 69 · 1798 · Original text

  8. Provide for copying the records of the several roads heretofore laid out and which hereafter may be laid out in the county of Philadelphia

    Ch. 1988 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 70 · 1798 · Original text

  9. Confirm that part of the road laid out from Philadelphia to the borough of York by West Chester, Strasburg and the Blue Rock which lies between Fawks' tavern and West Chester

    Ch. 1989 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 71 · 1798 · Original text

  10. Enable the governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the city of Philadelphia through Germantown by the route of Chestnut Hill to the twelve mile stone on the Reading road and thence to Reading in the county of Berks

    Ch. 1990 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 71 · 1798 · Original text

  11. Running and ascertaining certain lines of the counties of Bedford, Huntingdon, Somerset and Westmoreland

    Ch. 1991 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 88 · 1798 · Original text

  12. Repeal an act entitled "An act for raising by way of lottery the sum of $60,000 for accomplishing the building a stone bridge over the river Schuylkill at the borough of Reading and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 1992 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 90 · 1798 · Original text

  13. Annex part of Bedford county to the county of Franklin

    Ch. 1993 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 92 · 1798 · Original text

  14. Relief of John Glen

    Ch. 1994 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 93 · 1798 · Original text

  15. Continue in force for a limited time the act entitled "An act to extend the powers of the justices of the peace in this state and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 1995 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 93 · 1798 · Original text

  16. Extend the time for patenting lands

    Ch. 1996 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 94 · 1798 · Original text

  17. Re-enact certain laws relative to county rates and levies

    Ch. 1997 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 95 · 1798 · Original text

  18. Make certain appropriations as well as for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 1998 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 95 · 1798 · Original text

  19. Providing that the person of a debtor shall not be liable to imprisonment for debt after delivering up his estate for the benefit of his creditors unless he hath been guilty of fraud or embezzlement

    Ch. 1999 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 98 · 1798 · Original text

  20. Prevent the disturbance of religious societies within the city of Philadelphia during the time of divine service

    Ch. 2000 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 106 · 1798 · Original text

  21. Enable the president and managers of the company for erecting a bridge over the river Delaware at the borough of Easton in the county of Northampton to raise by lottery the sum of $12,500 for the purpose of completing its work

    Ch. 2001 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 109 · 1798 · Original text

  22. Provide a more effectual method for settling the accounts of the several brigade inspectors within this commonwealth

    Ch. 2002 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 110 · 1798 · Original text

  23. Altering the times of holding the courts of common pleas and general quarter sessions of the peace in the county of Washington

    Ch. 2003 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 112 · 1798 · Original text

  24. Supplement to act to enable the governor to appoint notaries public and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 2004 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 113 · 1798 · Original text

  25. Altering and erecting certain election districts

    Ch. 2005 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 113 · 1798 · Original text

  26. Continuing the present salaries of the judges of the supreme court, the secretary of the commonwealth and the presidents of the courts of common pleas

    Ch. 2006 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 118 · 1798 · Original text

  27. Alter and amend the health laws of this commonwealth, to incorporate a board of managers of a marine and city hospitals of the port of Philadelphia and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 2007 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 118 · 1798 · Original text

  28. Further supplement to the act entitled "An act for making an artificial road from the city of Philadelphia to the borough of Lancaster."

    Ch. 2008 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 130 · 1798 · Original text

  29. Limiting the term during which judgment shall be a lien on real estate and suits may be brought against the sureties of public offices

    Ch. 2009 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 133 · 1798 · Original text

  30. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for establishing and building a bridge across Conestoga creek in the county of Lancaster."

    Ch. 2010 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 135 · 1798 · Original text

  31. Authorize the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the river Delaware at or near Trenton

    Ch. 2011 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 137 · 1798 · Original text

  32. Divide the second election district in the county of Huntingdon

    Ch. 2012 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 147 · 1799 · Original text

  33. Declare Frankford creek a public highway

    Ch. 2013 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 148 · 1799 · Original text

  34. Facilitate the barring of entails

    Ch. 2014 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 149 · 1799 · Original text

  35. Authorize John Canan to erect a toll bridge over the Frankstown branch of the Juniata river

    Ch. 2015 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 151 · 1799 · Original text

  36. Erect the town of Greensburg in the county of Westmoreland into a borough

    Ch. 2016 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 154 · 1799 · Original text

  37. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to provide for the erection of houses for the employment and support of the poor in the counties of Chester and Lancaster."

    Ch. 2017 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 159 · 1799 · Original text

  38. Authorize the president, directors and company of the Bank of Pennsylvania to make a loan to the United States of a sum not exceeding $500,000

    Ch. 2018 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 160 · 1799 · Original text

  39. Raising, by way of lottery a sum not exceeding $2,000 to be applied to the defraying the expenses of completing the building of a Presbyterian meeting house in Mifflintown in the county of Mifflin

    Ch. 2019 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 161 · 1799 · Original text

  40. Regulate the general elections within this commonwealth

    Ch. 2020 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 163 · 1799 · Original text

  41. Incorporate and endow an academy or public school in the town of York and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 2021 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 181 · 1799 · Original text

  42. Continue in force for a limited time part of an act entitled "A further supplement to the act entitled 'An act to enjoin certain duties on the secretary of the commonwealth and for other purposes.' "

    Ch. 2022 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 187 · 1799 · Original text

  43. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to extend the powers of the justices of the peace of this state."

    Ch. 2023 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 187 · 1799 · Original text

  44. Appointment and regulation of constables in the district of Southwark

    Ch. 2024 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 191 · 1799 · Original text

  45. Authorizing the continuance of the sitting of the court of general quarter sessions of the peace of the county of Philadelphia beyond the four days to which they are at present restricted

    Ch. 2025 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 193 · 1799 · Original text

  46. Authorizing Benjamin Herr, his heirs and assigns, to erect and maintain a mill-dam and wing-dam in the Allegheny river in the county of Allegheny

    Ch. 2026 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 194 · 1799 · Original text

  47. In favor of John Hazlewood

    Ch. 2027 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 195 · 1799 · Original text

  48. Establish a ferry over the river Susquehanna at or near the mouth of Juniata and to vest the right thereof in Matthias Flam and David Watts, their heirs and assigns

    Ch. 2028 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 195 · 1799 · Original text

  49. Provide for the payment of $29,000 borrowed and expended for the use of the inhabitants of Philadelphia and its vicinity during the prevalence of the late malignant fever and also for the payment of interest thereon

    Ch. 2029 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 197 · 1799 · Original text

  50. Altering the place of holding special elections for the city of Philadelphia and the township of Blockley and Kignsessing in the county of Philadelphia when the legislature shall be in session

    Ch. 2030 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 198 · 1799 · Original text

  51. Reviving suits, process and proceedings which have been discontinued in the courts of general quarter sessions of the peace and common pleas in the county of Montgomery

    Ch. 2031 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 198 · 1799 · Original text

  52. Enable the justices of the supreme court to hold circuit courts within this commonwealth

    Ch. 2032 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 199 · 1799 · Original text

  53. Continue an act entitled "An act to revive the incorporation of the subscribers to the bank of North America."

    Ch. 2033 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 207 · 1799 · Original text

  54. Relief of Jessie Rankin

    Ch. 2034 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 208 · 1799 · Original text

  55. Vest in the heirs of William Rankin, deceased, such part of his forfeited estate as hath not been sold for the use of this Commonwealth

    Ch. 2035 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 209 · 1799 · Original text

  56. Indemnify General William Irwine for the loss of Montour's island recovered from him by a judgment of the supreme court of the United States

    Ch. 2036 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 210 · 1799 · Original text

  57. Provide for reimbursing the expenses of the sheriff of the city and county of Philadelphia in removing his prisoners from the debtor's apartment to the county of Montgomery during the prevalence of the late contagious fever

    Ch. 2037 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 211 · 1799 · Original text

  58. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to regulate hawkers and peddlers."

    Ch. 2038 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 211 · 1799 · Original text

  59. Empowering certain trustees therein named to sell and dispose of part of a certain tract of land situate in Hellam township in the county of York and state of Pennsylvania and to appropriate the moneys arising from such sale for the purposes mentioned

    Ch. 2039 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 213 · 1799 · Original text

  60. Appropriate a sum of money to be applied in completing three bridges in Bedford County and for other purposes

    Ch. 2040 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 214 · 1799 · Original text

  61. Authorize the commissioners of Montgomery county and their successors in office to raise money by toll for completing a bridge over the Perkiomen creek on the road leading from Philadelphia to Reading

    Ch. 2041 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 215 · 1799 · Original text

  62. Incorporating the trustees of the ministers and elders, constituting the general assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America

    Ch. 2042 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 219 · 1799 · Original text

  63. Enable Thomas Jones and Peter Filbert of the county of Berks or the survivor of them to convey and assure the lots of ground therein mentioned

    Ch. 2043 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 224 · 1799 · Original text

  64. Incorporate the town of West Chester in the county of Chester into a borough

    Ch. 2044 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 225 · 1799 · Original text

  65. Erect the town of Lebanon in the county of Dauphin into a borough

    Ch. 2045 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 230 · 1799 · Original text

  66. Enable William Alexander and Robert Alexander and the survivor of them, trustees of an estate held for the use of Jonathan Williams and Mariamne his wife and their joint heirs with the remainders over, to sell and convey the said estate

    Ch. 2046 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 235 · 1799 · Original text

  67. Authorize the removal of the seat of justice in the county of Wayne and for other purposes

    Ch. 2047 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 237 · 1799 · Original text

  68. Provide for the removal of the seat of the government of the state of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 2048 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 239 · 1799 · Original text

  69. Appropriate a further sum of money for the opening and improving the road leading from Frankstown on the river Juniata to Pittsburgh

    Ch. 2049 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 241 · 1799 · Original text

  70. Raising, by way of lottery a sum not exceeding $10,000 for the purpose of completing the building of the Roman Catholic church of St. Augustine in the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 2050 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 242 · 1799 · Original text

  71. Perpetuating the penal laws of this state

    Ch. 2051 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 243 · 1799 · Original text

  72. Vest in the president, directors and company for erecting a permanent bridge over the river Schuylkill at or near the city of Philadelphia the right and title of this commonwealth to the lot or piece of ground therein mentioned

    Ch. 2052 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 244 · 1799 · Original text

  73. Offering compensation to the Pennsylvania claimants of certain lands within the seventeen townships in the county of Luzerne and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 2053 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 245 · 1799 · Original text

  74. Relief of the Chambersburg Academy

    Ch. 2054 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 251 · 1799 · Original text

  75. Relief of Hannah Allman, executrix to Lawrence Allman, deceased

    Ch. 2055 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 252 · 1799 · Original text

  76. Declaring Dunkard creek in the county of Greene a public highway

    Ch. 2056 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 254 · 1799 · Original text

  77. Repeal part of an act entitled "An act for regulating, pitching, paving and cleansing the highways, streets, lanes and alleys and for regulating, making and amending the water courses and common sewers within the ... city of Philadelphia ..."

    Ch. 2057 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 255 · 1799 · Original text

  78. Incorporating the congregation of the Protestant Episcopal church of St. John in West Caln in the county of Chester and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 2058 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 256 · 1799 · Original text

  79. Provide for repairing the buildings appropriated for the employment of the criminals from the several counties of this state in the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 2059 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 260 · 1799 · Original text

  80. Erect and alter certain election districts within this commonwealth

    Ch. 2060 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 261 · 1799 · Original text

  81. Altering and erecting certain election districts within this commonwealth

    Ch. 2061 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 262 · 1799 · Original text

  82. Authorize the laying out and opening a road from the town of Newbury in the county of Lycoming to the 109 mile stone on the line dividing this state from the state of New York

    Ch. 2062 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 267 · 1799 · Original text

  83. Prevent the erection of fish-dams and baskets in the rivers Schuylkill, Susquehanna and Juniata and the branches thereof

    Ch. 2063 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 268 · 1799 · Original text

  84. Regulating the fees in the office of the surveyor-general of this commonwealth

    Ch. 2064 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 271 · 1799 · Original text

  85. Providing for the distribution of the journals of the senate and of the house of representatives of this commonwealth

    Ch. 2065 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 272 · 1799 · Original text

  86. Continue and amend the existing laws for the regulation of the port and harbor of Philadelphia

    Ch. 2066 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 273 · 1799 · Original text

  87. Provide for the payment of a small corps of militia stationed at Greensburg in the year 1794

    Ch. 2067 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 275 · 1799 · Original text

  88. Regulation of the militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Ch. 2068 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 276 · 1799 · Original text

  89. Declaring Little Schuylkill a public highway

    Ch. 2069 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 309 · 1799 · Original text

  90. Relief of the widow and heirs of John Jones, deceased

    Ch. 2070 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 309 · 1799 · Original text

  91. Vesting certain powers in the judges of the supreme court

    Ch. 2071 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 311 · 1799 · Original text

  92. Relief of George Walton

    Ch. 2072 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 312 · 1799 · Original text

  93. Authorize the governor to appoint and commission an auctioneer for the express and sole purpose of selling horses cattle and carriages within the city of Philadelphia

    Ch. 2073 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 313 · 1799 · Original text

  94. Provide for opening a road from near the Bald Eagle's Nest in Mifflin county to Le Boeuf in the county of Allegheny

    Ch. 2074 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 314 · 1799 · Original text

  95. Erect certain election districts in the counties of Washington, Northampton and Luzerne

    Ch. 2075 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 315 · 1799 · Original text

  96. Reimbursement of moneys heretofore advanced by the receiver general of the land office

    Ch. 2076 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 316 · 1799 · Original text

  97. Authorize the commissioners of the county of Delaware to raise money by toll for the repair and maintenance of the bridges on the public state road of said county

    Ch. 2077 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 317 · 1799 · Original text

  98. Benefit of Elizabeth Allen and Elizabeth Margaret Tilghman

    Ch. 2078 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 319 · 1799 · Original text

  99. Making provision for the opening and improving of a road over the Penn's Valley Mountains in the county of Mifflin and for opening and improving the state road from Turtle creek to Pittsburgh

    Ch. 2079 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 323 · 1799 · Original text

  100. Provide for selling the several reserved tracts of land adjoining the towns of Erie, Franklin, Warren and Waterford and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 2080 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 324 · 1799 · 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.