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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. Making certain appropriations, and to enable the Governor, to negotiate certain Loans, and for other purposes

    Act 182 of 1803 · 1803 · Original text

  2. Laying out competent Districts for the Appointment of Justices of the Peace

    Act 183 of 1803 · 1803 · Original text

  3. Declaring the Chenago or Pymatuning creek, a public stream or highway

    Act 184 of 1803 · 1803 · Original text

  4. Empower the overseers and guardians of the poor of the several townships within this Commonwealth, to recover certain fines, penalties and forfeitures, and other purposes

    Act 185 of 1803 · 1803 · Original text

  5. Authorise Deputy Surveyors or Assistants to administer oaths to Chain Carriers

    Act 186 of 1803 · 1803 · Original text

  6. Alter and amend acts to regulate the General Elections within this Commonwealth

    Act 187 of 1803 · 1803 · Original text

  7. Resolutions 1 - 3

    Resolution of 1803 · 1803 · Original text

  8. To revive the act, entitled "A supplement to the act, entitled 'An act to extend the Powers of the Justices of the Peace of this State' "

    Act 1 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  9. Inspection of butter intended for exportation

    Act 2 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  10. To ratify on behalf of the State of Pennsylvania, an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, relative to the choosing of a President and Vice-President of the United States

    Act 3 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  11. Altering and erecting certain Election Districts in the County of Somerset

    Act 4 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  12. To quiet the claim of James Gunn, to the estates, real and personal, of General James Gunn, deceased

    Act 5 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  13. Authorizing Elizabeth Shiner, Christian Shiner and John Neyman, administrators of Christophel Shiner, deceased, to convey a certain messuage and tract of land, situate in New Hanover township, in the county of Montgomery

    Act 6 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  14. Directing the mode of taking testimony in cases of complaint against justices of the peace

    Act 7 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  15. Relief of John Loney

    Act 8 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  16. Enabling certain trustees to sell and dispose of the real estate of Henry Meckley, a lunatic

    Act 9 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  17. To alter the Limits of the Borough of Beaver

    Act 10 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  18. Dissolve the marriage contract between Samuel Swan and Hannah his wife

    Act 11 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  19. In aid of the Northumberland Academy in the town and county of Northumberland

    Act 12 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  20. Erecting the townships of Rockhill, Bedminster and Hilltown in the county of Bucks into an election district

    Act 13 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  21. Relief of Alexander Boaticar

    Act 14 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  22. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to enable the owners of Greenwich Island to embank and drain the same, to keep the outside banks and dams in good repair forever and to raise a fund to defray sundry contingent yearly expenses accruing thereon."

    Act 15 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  23. Supplement to the 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."

    Act 16 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  24. Dissolving the marriage contract between Cornelius Burk and Elizabeth, his wife

    Act 17 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  25. Declaring Le Boeuf creek in the county of Erie from the town of Waterford to Brotherton's mills a public highway

    Act 18 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  26. Incorporate The Union Insurance Company of Philadelphia.

    Act 19 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  27. Incorporate the Phoenix Insurance Company of Philadelphia

    Act 20 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  28. Continue in force for a limited time the act entitled "An act for instituting a board of property and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Act 21 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  29. Raise by way of lottery a sum not exceeding $8,000 for the use and benefit of the minister, wardens and vestry of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in the city of Philadelphia

    Act 22 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  30. Appointing a trustee in the county of Centre

    Act 23 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  31. Declaring Wyosox creek from the mouth thereof to Jacob Myers' mill dam in the county of Luzerne a public stream or highway

    Act 24 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  32. Provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor in the county of York

    Act 25 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  33. Regulate the fisheries in the river Delaware and its branches and for other purposes

    Act 26 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  34. Prohibiting the commissioners of the respective counties of this commonwealth from selling for a limited time unseated lands for taxes

    Act 27 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  35. Relief of Alexander Patterson

    Act 28 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  36. Enable the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from Erie to Waterford

    Act 29 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  37. Declaring Clearfield creek in the county of Huntingdon and Sinemahoning creek in the county of Lycoming public highways

    Act 30 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  38. Provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor in the county of Delaware

    Act 31 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  39. Relief of George Stevenson

    Act 32 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  40. Supplement to an act for establishing a nightly watch, providing lamps and supporting pumps for public use in the borough of Lancaster in the county of Lancaster

    Act 33 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  41. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to empower the overseers and guardians of the poor of the several townships of the commonwealth to recover certain fines, penalties and forfeitures and for other purposes."

    Act 34 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  42. Altering the place of holding the elections in Southampton township in Somerset County.

    Act 35 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  43. Relief of John Gilchrist

    Act 36 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  44. Empower the heirs, executors or administrators to the estate of John Hirst, senior, deceased, to sell and convey a certain lot or piece of ground with the building thereon erected in the city of Philadelphia

    Act 37 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  45. Authorizing and directing the comptroller and register generals to adjust and settle a certificate with John Evans, lawful administrator of the estate of Thomas M'Farlane, deceased, in whose name it was issued

    Act 38 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  46. Declaring Muschanon creek (a boundary line between Centre and Huntingdon counties) a public highway

    Act 39 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  47. Enable the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from Lancaster through Elizabethtown to Middletown

    Act 40 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  48. Relief of George Eichholtz

    Act 41 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  49. Enable the governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial turnpike road from the intersection of Bristol and Newtown roads at the rock in Oxford through Bustleton and Smithfield in the county of Philadelphia to the Buck Tavern in Southampton

    Act 42 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  50. Appointing the place whereupon to erect the courthouse and public offices for the county of Crawford

    Act 43 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  51. Alter the place of holding the elections in the seventh election district in Huntingdon county

    Act 44 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  52. Authorizing the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the western side of Laurel hill near Uniontown to the state line in a direction towards Cumberland in the state of Maryland

    Act 45 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  53. Declaring part of Conedogwinit creek in the county of Cumberland a public highway

    Act 46 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  54. Alter an act entitled "An act to erect the town of Pittsburgh in the county of Allegheny into a borough and for other purposes therein contained."

    Act 47 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  55. Enable the administrators of Conrad Weiser to sell and make title to certain lots adjoining the town of Selinsgrove in Northumberland county

    Act 48 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  56. Erect Somerset town in the county of Somerset into a borough

    Act 49 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  57. Enable the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company to make an artificial road from the top of Chestnut Hill through Flourtown to the Springhouse tavern in Montgomery county

    Act 50 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  58. Incorporate The Philadelphia Bank

    Act 51 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  59. Relief of Robert Harris

    Act 52 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  60. Authorizing Joseph Potts and Joseph Thomas, administrators of Martha Potts, deceased, to sell and convey a certain messuage and lot of land in the township of Plymouth and county of Montgomery

    Act 53 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  61. Authorize the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the river Delaware near to the town of Milford in the county of Wayne

    Act 54 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  62. Erecting one new election district and changing the places of holding elections in two other districts in the county of Northumberland

    Act 55 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  63. Erect Weisenberg and Lynn townships in the county of Northampton into a separate election district

    Act 56 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  64. Enable Alexander M'Pherson to obtain a title to a lot of land in the township of Salisbury and county of Chester

    Act 57 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  65. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to enable executors and administrators by leave of court to convey lands and tenements contracted for with their decedents and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Act 58 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  66. Incorporate the Delaware Insurance Company of Philadelphia

    Act 59 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  67. Enforce the owners and possessors of certain marsh meadow situate partly in the township of Lower Chichester and the township of Chester in the county of Delaware adjoining the river Delaware to keep the banks, dams, sluices and floodgates in repair, etc.

    Act 60 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  68. Raise by way of lottery a sum not exceeding $10,000 for the use and benefit of the trustees and members of the fourth Presbyterian church in the city of Philadelphia

    Act 61 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  69. Erect a new election district in the county of Franklin

    Act 62 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  70. Enjoining certain duties on the surveyor general

    Act 63 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  71. Relief of Alexander Simonton

    Act 64 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  72. Provide for the more effectual education of the children of the poor gratis

    Act 65 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  73. Raise by way of lottery a sum of money not exceeding $2,060 to finish and complete two churches in the county of Franklin

    Act 66 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  74. Relief of Jacob Walter, the legal representative of Michael Walter, deceased

    Act 67 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  75. Appropriate a sum of money for viewing, marking and opening the road from Tuscarora valley in Mifflin county to Sheerman's valley in Cumberland county

    Act 68 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  76. Relief of the heirs of Captain John Brady, late of Northumberland county, deceased

    Act 69 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  77. Enable the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company to make an artificial road from the Susquehanna river at or near Wright's ferry to the borough of York

    Act 70 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  78. Enable Margaret Keith to sell and convey a certain tract of land in Middletown township, Cumberland county

    Act 71 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  79. Regulate the administering of certain oaths

    Act 72 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  80. Relief of Peter Keplinger

    Act 73 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  81. Authorize the select and common councils of the city of Philadelphia to erect market houses in the said city

    Act 74 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  82. Enable the governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road by the best and nearest route from the northeastern branch of the Susquehanna River between the Lower Whopehawly and Nescopeck creeks in Luzerne county to Nesquehoning creek

    Act 75 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  83. Relief of the supervisors of Somerset township in Somerset county for the year 1801

    Act 76 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  84. Incorporate the Philadelphia Insurance Company

    Act 77 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  85. Erect parts of Lycoming, Huntingdon and Somerset counties into separate county districts

    Act 78 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  86. Confirmation of a partition made of certain lands in Lycoming county

    Act 79 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  87. Transferring the powers of the trustees of the county of Adams to the commissioners of said county and authorizing them to levy a further sum for completing the public buildings therein

    Act 80 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  88. Relief of Elizabeth Febiger

    Act 81 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  89. Recovery of debts and demands not exceeding $100 before a justice of the peace, for the election of constables and for other purposes

    Act 82 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  90. Authorizing the governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road in Wayne and Luzerne counties

    Act 83 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  91. Granting relief to the heirs of Michael Irick, deceased

    Act 84 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  92. Incorporate an academy or public school in the town of Norris and the county of Montgomery and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Act 85 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  93. Altering and extending the powers of the corporation of the borough of Bristol

    Act 86 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  94. Erect the town of Morrisville into a borough

    Act 87 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  95. Extend and continue an act entitled "A supplement to the act entitled 'An act to complete the benevolent intention of the legislature of the commonwealth by distributing the donation lands to all who are entitled thereto.' "

    Act 88 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  96. Relief of Marcus Hulings, junior

    Act 89 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  97. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to authorize the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the river Delaware at or near Trenton."

    Act 90 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  98. Conferring certain powers on the commissioners of Berks county and for other purposes

    Act 91 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  99. Authorizing Jacob Eichelberger and Frederick Shultz to sell and convey a certain lot of land in Heidelberg township in the county of York belonging to the German Lutheran congregation in and near Hanover in the said county

    Act 92 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  100. Dividing the borough of Lancaster into two election wards

    Act 93 of 1804 · 1804 · 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.