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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

951 laws of the 1800s

Constitution of 1790

  1. Empower the governor to negotiate a loan for the use of the commonwealth

    Ch. 2196 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 562 · 1801 · Original text

  2. Authorize William Gilliland, Alexander Russel and Samuel Cobean to sell and dispose of in fee simple the real estate of James Black, a lunatic, or such parts thereof as may be necessary for the payment of his debts and maintenance

    Ch. 2197 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 563 · 1801 · Original text

  3. Empowering the ministers, vestry-men and church wardens of the German Lutheran congregation in and near the city of Philadelphia to convey by deed of gift the Barren Hill Church situate in the township of White Marsh in the county of Montgomery

    Ch. 2198 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 564 · 1801 · Original text

  4. Altering certain election districts in the counties of Mifflin and Centre

    Ch. 2199 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 567 · 1801 · Original text

  5. Extend and further continue an act entitled "A supplement to the several acts relative to establishing town and out lots and selling the same within the reserved tracts of land adjoining Erie, Franklin, Warren and Waterford."

    Ch. 2200 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 568 · 1801 · Original text

  6. Compensate James Pearson

    Ch. 2201 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 569 · 1801 · Original text

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

    Ch. 2202 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 570 · 1801 · Original text

  8. Extend the time for the sale of the real estate of Andrew Boyd, late treasurer of Chester county

    Ch. 2203 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 570 · 1801 · Original text

  9. Relief of John Renison

    Ch. 2204 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 571 · 1801 · Original text

  10. Authorize William Turnbull, representative of William Turnbull and Company, agents for the Royal Marine of France, to commence a suit against the commonwealth

    Ch. 2205 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 572 · 1801 · Original text

  11. Enlarge two election districts and to change the place of holding elections of the second district in the county of Lycoming

    Ch. 2206 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 573 · 1801 · Original text

  12. Repeal an act entitled "An act for the regulation of the markets in the city of Philadelphia and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Ch. 2207 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 574 · 1801 · Original text

  13. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to enable the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the borough of Lancaster to the river Susquehanna at or near Wright's Ferry."

    Ch. 2208 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 574 · 1801 · Original text

  14. Authorize and direct the treasurer of this commonwealth to receive from the heirs of the late treasurer David Rittenhouse certain certificates of funded debt of the United States and the interest thereon and to indemnify the said heirs therefor

    Ch. 2209 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 578 · 1801 · Original text

  15. Erect the townships of Salisbury and Sadsbury in the county of Lancaster into a separate election district

    Ch. 2210 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 579 · 1801 · Original text

  16. Declaring the rivers Codorus and Conewago in the county of York public highways and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Ch. 2211 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 580 · 1801 · Original text

  17. Fix the number of senators, form the state into districts and determine the portion to be allowed to each as well as to fix the number of representatives for the city of Philadelphia and the several counties of the commonwealth

    Ch. 2212 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 583 · 1801 · Original text

  18. Erecting two election districts in the county of Mercer and for other purposes

    Ch. 2213 · 16 Pa. Stat. at Large 587 · 1801 · Original text

  19. Tax the office of the Prothonotary or Clerk of the Supreme Court

    Act 1 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  20. Relief of Edmund Milne

    Act 2 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  21. Altering the manner of electing a treasurer of the corporation of the city of Philadelphia

    Act 3 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  22. Establishment of a college at Canonsburg in the county of Washington in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Act 4 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  23. Erect Penn Township in the county of Northampton into a new election district

    Act 5 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  24. Erect a new election district in the county of Somerset

    Act 6 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  25. Erect Half-moon and Patton Townships in the county of Centre into a new election district

    Act 7 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  26. Erecting two election districts in the county of Montgomery

    Act 8 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  27. Supplement to an act to erect the town of Sunbury in the county of Northumberland into a borough

    Act 9 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  28. Supplement to an act to erect part of Washington county into a separate county

    Act 10 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  29. Limiting the operation of Caveats entered in the Land-office, against the issuing of patents

    Act 11 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  30. Repealing part of an act to prevent the destruction of rock-fish and oysters

    Act 12 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  31. Extend the time for patenting lands and for other purposes

    Act 13 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  32. Alter and amend the health-laws of this State so far as respects vessels, goods and passengers coming from any port or place in the State of Delaware

    Act 14 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  33. Relief of Peter Williams

    Act 15 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  34. Encourage the killing of wolves

    Act 16 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  35. Authorize the sale of the estate of Catherine Erringer, a lunatic, and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Act 17 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  36. Direct the manner, time and place of holding elections for electors of President and Vice-President of the United States

    Act 18 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  37. Declaring the holding of offices or appointments under this State incompatible with the holding or exercising offices or appointments under the United States

    Act 19 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  38. Relief of William Hill of the State of Massachusetts and Esther his wife and confirm in Burton Wallace and his heirs for ever the title to a certain messuage and lot of ground therein mentioned

    Act 20 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  39. Facilitate the settlement of the accounts of the former and present county Treasurers for arrears of State taxes

    Act 21 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  40. Prescribe the times, places and manner of choosing Senators to represent this State in the Senate of the United States

    Act 22 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  41. Erect Mahantango Township in the county of Berks into a separate election district

    Act 23 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  42. Relief of John Berrell

    Act 24 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  43. Altering the place of holding the elections in Air Township in the county of Bedford

    Act 25 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  44. Supplement to the act to incorporate the district of Southwark

    Act 26 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  45. Erecting the township of Conemaugh in the county of Somerset into a separate election district

    Act 27 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  46. Erecting certain election districts in the county of York

    Act 28 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  47. Relief of Michael Cox

    Act 29 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  48. Enable James Wickersham, Samuel Garretson and Ezekiel Kirk to convey a certain piece of land in the township of Newberry, York County

    Act 30 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  49. Erect the town of Canonsburg in the county of Washington into a borough

    Act 31 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  50. Declaring Ten-mile creek from the mouth thereof to Jacob Adams' mill in the county of Greene a public highway

    Act 32 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  51. Regulating the office of justice of the peace and for other purposes

    Act 33 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  52. Provide for the education of poor children gratis

    Act 34 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  53. Altering the place of holding elections in the fourth district in the county of Northampton

    Act 35 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  54. Altering the place of holding elections in the fifth district in the county of Cumberland

    Act 36 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  55. Authorize John Sherer to erect a wing-dam on Monongahela river in the county of Allegheny

    Act 37 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  56. Erect Deer Township in the county of Allegheny into a separate election district

    Act 38 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  57. Altering the place of holding the general election in the second district in the county of Westmoreland

    Act 39 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  58. Altering the place of holding the general election in the district composed of Wheatfield and part of Fairfield Townships in the county of Westmoreland

    Act 40 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  59. Relief of divers inhabitants of the county of Adams

    Act 41 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  60. Erection of certain election districts in the county of Mercer

    Act 42 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  61. Supplement to an act to authorize the governor of this Commonwealth to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the river Delaware at the borough of Easton in the county of Northampton

    Act 43 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  62. Altering the place of holding the general elections in Wyalusing district in the county of Luzerne

    Act 44 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  63. Altering the place of holding the general elections in the fourth district composed of the township of Bald-Eagle in Centre County

    Act 45 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  64. Relief of Lewis Garanger

    Act 46 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  65. Enable the trustees of the religious society of Moravians or United Brethren in Mountjoy Township, Lancaster County, to convey certain land therein mentioned to Henry Meyer

    Act 47 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  66. Granting unto Thomas Smith and John Smith an island and bar in the river Delaware

    Act 48 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  67. Repealing so much of an act to prevent the receiving any more application or issuing any more warrants, except in certain cases, for lands within this commonwealth as interferes with an act directing the sale of certain islands in the river Susquehanna

    Act 49 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  68. Empower the trustees of the English Presbyterian church in Allen Township in the county of Northampton to make conveyance and assurance of the tract or piece of land therein mentioned

    Act 50 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  69. Revive and continue an act to enable the governor to incorporate a company for opening a canal and water communication between the rivers Delaware and Schuylkill and also an act for opening a canal and lock between the rivers Schuylkill and Susquehanna

    Act 51 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  70. Continue certain suits entered in the court of common pleas of the county of Westmoreland in the name of Thomas Mifflin, late governor, and John Nicholson, late comptroller-general of Pennsylvania

    Act 52 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  71. Enable General John Steele and William Calhoun to sell and convey a certain tract of land therein mentioned

    Act 53 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  72. Incorporating the Magdalen Society in the city of Philadelphia

    Act 54 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  73. Erect Allegheny Township in the county of Armstrong into an election district

    Act 55 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  74. Authorizing the comptroller and register-generals to receive certain evidences of State debt due to individuals in discharge of the sureties of the former comptroller-general John Nicholson

    Act 56 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  75. Relief of the estate of Sarah Caldwell

    Act 57 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  76. Erect the town of Beaver in the county of Beaver into a borough and for other purposes

    Act 58 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  77. Supplement to an act to repeal part of an act declaring the river Susquehanna and other streams therein mentioned public highways for improving the navigation of the said river and streams and preserving the fish in the same

    Act 59 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  78. Relief of Isaac Wiley and James Calhoun

    Act 60 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  79. Erect a separate election district in the county of Allegheny

    Act 61 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  80. Supplement to an act for securing the city of Philadelphia and the neighborhood thereof from damage by gun-powder and also to an act for providing for the inspection of gun-powder

    Act 62 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  81. Dissolving the marriage between David M'Kiffick and Margaret his wife

    Act 63 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  82. Erecting certain election districts in the counties of Northampton and Bedford

    Act 64 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  83. Aid of the congregation of Bangor church in Carnarvan Township in the county of Lancaster

    Act 65 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  84. Authorizing executors and administrators in certain cafes to convey lands sold by their decedents by order of orphans' court

    Act 66 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  85. Erect the township of Brecknock and part of the township of Cocalico in the county of Lancaster into a separate election district

    Act 67 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  86. Appoint new trustees for Mifflin County

    Act 68 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  87. Dissolve the marriage contract between John Kunius and Bathsheba his wife, late Bathsheba Troth

    Act 69 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  88. Supplement to an act to establish the judicial courts of this Commonwealth

    Act 70 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  89. Vest in the trustees of the Roman Catholic Society of St. Mary's Church in the city of Philadelphia for the benefit of the poor of said society such part of the estate of Peter Bonaventure d'Artois as is declared to have escheated to the Commonwealth

    Act 71 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  90. Authorizing the governor to discharge the debt sue from this Commonwealth to the bank of Philadelphia and for other purposes

    Act 72 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  91. Provide for the election of Representatives of the people of this State in the Congress of the United States

    Act 73 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  92. Complete the benevolent intention of the legislature of this Commonwealth by distributing the donation lands to all who are entitled thereto

    Act 74 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  93. Settle the controversies arising from contending claims to lands within that part of the territory of this Commonwealth north and south of the rivers Ohio and Allegheny and Conewango creek

    Act 75 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  94. Empower the trustees of Crawford County to erect a suitable building for a seminary of learning in the town of Meadville

    Act 76 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  95. Annex the township of Dunbar in Fayette County to the fourth election district

    Act 77 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  96. Authorizing the comptroller-general and register-general to liquidate and settle certain expenses incurred under the act supplement to an act preventing intrusions on lands within the counties of Northampton, Northumberland and Luzerne and other purposes

    Act 78 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  97. Provide for the removal of the seat of justice in Wayne County and for other purposes

    Act 79 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  98. Enlarge the March and December terms in the Supreme Court

    Act 80 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  99. Authorize Marcus Hulings to erect a toll-bridge over French creek opposite Turkey-street in the town of Franklin

    Act 81 of 1802 · 1802 · Original text

  100. Erect West-Hanover Township in the county of Dauphin into a separate election district

    Act 82 of 1802 · 1802 · 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.