Friday, October 30, 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

951 laws of the 1800s

Constitution of 1790

  1. Empower Chambers Gaw to sell and convey certain real estate therein mentioned and for other purposes

    Act 94 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  2. Supplement to the act entitled "An act concerning divorces and alimony."

    Act 95 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  3. Provide for opening and improving a road through Igoe's Narrows in the county of Huntingdon

    Act 96 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  4. Rebuilding the bridges over Swatara creek and Deep creek on the Tulpohocken road in the county of Berks

    Act 97 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  5. Further supplement to the act entitled "An act directing the descent of intestates real estates and distribution of their personal estates and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Act 98 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  6. Provide for the payment of a certain balance of purchase money yet due and remaining charged on lands which have been patented on warrants obtained since surveys were originally made in pursuance of old proprietary warrants and location, etc.

    Act 99 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  7. Relief of David Jackson

    Act 100 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  8. Relief of Nicholas Reem

    Act 101 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  9. Making compensation to brigade inspectors for furnishing blank forms

    Act 102 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  10. Provide for the copying of a certain ancient book of records in the office of the recorder of deeds in the county of Chester

    Act 103 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  11. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to establish a board of wardens for the port of Philadelphia and for the regulation of pilots and pilotages and for other purposes therein mentioned."

    Act 104 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  12. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to alter and amend the act entitled 'An act to regulate the general elections within this commonwealth.' "

    Act 105 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  13. Annexing part of Luzerne county to the county of Lycoming

    Act 106 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  14. Declaring part of Big Fishing creek and Cattewissi creek in the county of Northumberland public highways

    Act 107 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  15. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for establishing a health office and to secure the city and port of Philadelphia from the introduction of pestilential and contagious diseases."

    Act 108 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  16. Authorize the proprietor or proprietors of the Conewago canal to receive a toll from the boats, rafts and vessels passing the same

    Act 109 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  17. Authorize and require the state treasurer to receive the interest on federal stock, the property of this commonwealth, and for other purposes

    Act 110 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  18. Authorizing the state treasurer to transfer to certain individuals the stock held by the state for their use in the loan office of the United States

    Act 111 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  19. Enable James Wallis to obtain a title to a lot of land in the township of Charlestown and county of Chester

    Act 112 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  20. Enable persons appointed to offices of public trust to recover official documents appurtenant to the said offices from persons detaining the same

    Act 113 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  21. Directing the register general and state treasurer to exhibit printed statements of their accounts

    Act 114 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  22. Election of constables in the township of Pittsburgh

    Act 115 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  23. Dissolve the marriage contract between Thomas Dewees and Mary, his wife

    Act 116 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  24. Authorize Alexander M'Intire to erect a toll bridge over French creek

    Act 117 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  25. Provide for the inspection of ground black oak bark intended for exportation

    Act 118 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  26. Erecting certain election districts and making alterations in other districts in certain counties within this commonwealth

    Act 119 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  27. Supplement to the act entitled "An act for laying out and keeping in repair the public highways within this commonwealth and for laying out private roads."

    Act 120 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  28. Ascertaining the right of this state to certain lands lying north and west of the rivers Ohio and Allegheny, and Conewango Creek

    Act 121 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  29. Punishment of perjury or subornation of perjury

    Act 122 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  30. Making appropriations for the expenses and support of government for the year 1804 and for other purposes

    Act 123 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  31. Directing the mode of selling unseated lands for taxes

    Act 124 of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  32. Resolutions 1 - 6

    Resolution of 1804 · 1804 · Original text

  33. Regulate the payment of costs on indictments

    Act 1 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  34. Erecting a new Election-District in the County of Centre

    Act 2 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  35. Enlarging the Bounds of the Ninth Election-District, in the county of Washington

    Act 3 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  36. Supplement to the Act, entitled, "An Act to incorporate the Philadelphia Bank."

    Act 4 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  37. Supplement to an act, entitled, "An act to raise by way of lottery, a sum not exceeding eight thousand dollars, 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 5 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  38. Erect Donegal township, in the county of Lancaster, into a separate election district

    Act 6 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  39. Establishing an academy in the town of Bellefonte, in Centre county

    Act 7 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  40. Enable Isaac Johnson and Elizabeth Sprogel, guardians of Elizabeth Sprogel the younger, and Ann Sprogel, minors, to sell and convey certain real estate

    Act 8 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  41. Erecting the township of Franklin, in Fayette county, into a separate election district

    Act 9 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  42. Authorizing the governor to employ counsel to attend to the interests of this state in certain suits pending in the Supreme Court of the United States

    Act 10 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  43. Raise by way of lottery a sum of money not exceeding $1,500 to assist in defraying the expenses of erecting Zion Church and two schoolhouses in the town of Womelsdorf and county of Berks

    Act 11 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  44. Granting a sum of money to the trustees of Norristown Academy

    Act 12 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  45. Raise by way of lottery a sum not exceeding $3,000 for the use and benefit of the Union Academy at Doylestown in the county of Bucks

    Act 13 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  46. Supplement to an act entitled "An act conferring certain powers on the commissioners of Berks county and for other purposes."

    Act 14 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  47. Raise by way of lottery a sum not exceeding $3,000 to defray the expenses of building a church in the town of Somerset

    Act 15 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  48. Erect Buffalo township in the county of Cumberland into a separate election district

    Act 16 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  49. Extending the act entitled "An act for the relief of divers inhabitants of the county of Adams."

    Act 17 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  50. Investing the devisees of John Meredith, deceased, such parts of the forfeited estate of the said John Meredith as have not been sold by this commonwealth

    Act 18 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  51. Directing the mode of filling vacancies in the representation of this state in the House of Representatives of the United States

    Act 19 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  52. Relief of Frederick Stoever

    Act 20 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  53. Further supplement to the act entitled "An act to incorporate the city of Philadelphia."

    Act 21 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  54. Relief of the children of John Maxwell, deceased

    Act 22 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  55. Raising by way of lottery the sum of $20,000 for removing the obstructions and improving the navigation of the river Susquehanna and certain branches thereof

    Act 23 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  56. Enable Elizabeth Travis, widow and administratrix of all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits of John Travis, late of the city of Philadelphia, merchant, deceased, to execute the trusts of a certain deed therein mentioned

    Act 24 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  57. More effectual prevention of excessive and deceitful gaming and to prevent unlawful sales of chances of lottery tickets and to prevent insuring for or against the drawing of such tickets

    Act 25 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  58. Perpetuating and enlarging the corporate powers of the borough of Uniontown in the county of Fayette

    Act 26 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  59. Vesting in the heirs of Leonard Stoneburner a title to a certain tract of land

    Act 27 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  60. Electing and appointment of constables in the boroughs of Reading and Lancaster

    Act 28 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  61. Organize the provisional county of Armstrong

    Act 29 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  62. Relief of John Hughes

    Act 30 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  63. Empowering the commissioners of Beaver and Butler counties to collect certain arrearages of county taxes

    Act 31 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  64. Relief of Robina Dunlap

    Act 32 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  65. Directing the sale of certain town lots in the town of Beaver and other land adjacent thereto

    Act 33 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  66. Dissolving the marriage of Thomas Adkinson and Rebecca, his wife

    Act 34 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  67. Authorizing the governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the river Schuylkill at Reading in the county of Berks to or near Hummelstown in the county of Dauphin

    Act 35 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  68. Releasing all claims of the commonwealth to the lands contained within the borough of York

    Act 36 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  69. Authorizing the governor to appoint commissioners to ascertain the best mode of improving the navigation of the river Ohio

    Act 37 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  70. Supplement to an act to enable the governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the intersection of Front street and the Germantown road in the Northern Liberties of the city of Philadelphia to the ferry at Morrisville

    Act 38 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  71. Further regulation of the borough of Pittsburgh

    Act 39 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  72. Relief of John M'Elnay

    Act 40 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  73. Raise by way of lottery a sum of money for the benefit of Pennepack School

    Act 41 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  74. Relief of Andrew Boyd, former treasurer of Chester county

    Act 42 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  75. Enable the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for the purpose of obtaining slate from quarries within the county of Northampton suitable for roofing houses and for other purposes

    Act 43 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  76. Supplement to an act entitled "An act to erect parts of Lycoming, Huntingdon and Somerset counties into separate county districts."

    Act 44 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  77. Relief of Frederick Fultz

    Act 45 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  78. Prohibit justices of the peace within the county of Centre from having jurisdiction in civil cases within the counties of Clearfield and M'Kean

    Act 46 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  79. Extending the time heretofore allowed to Marcus Hulings to erect a bridge over French creek

    Act 47 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  80. Regulating and continuing the distribution of donation lands

    Act 48 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  81. Establish and confirm the place for holding the courts of justice and to provide for erecting the public buildings for the use of Indiana county

    Act 49 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  82. Empower John Keen, guardian of Esther Thomas, an infant, to sell and convey real estate belonging to the said infant

    Act 50 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  83. Erect the town of Greencastle in the county of Franklin into a borough

    Act 51 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  84. Raise by way of lottery a sum of money to defray the expense of building a Presbyterian Church in the village of Maytown in the county of Lancaster

    Act 52 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  85. Requiring the trustees of Mercer county to surrender their trust to the commissioners of said county

    Act 53 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  86. Enable the governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road by the best and nearest route from the borough of Sunbury in the county of Northumberland to the borough of Reading in the county of Berks

    Act 54 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  87. Relief of John Chandler

    Act 55 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  88. Vesting in the select and common councils of the city of Philadelphia, the corporation of the district of Southwark, and the commissioners of the incorporated part of the Northern Liberties the power of regulating the markets holden on Sunday

    Act 56 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  89. Better regulation of the city of Philadelphia and districts adjoining and preserving the navigation of the river Schuylkill

    Act 57 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  90. Explanatory of the act entitled "An act to regulate the payment of costs on indictments."

    Act 58 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  91. Relief of Benjamin Clark

    Act 59 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  92. Establish and confirm the place for holding the courts of justice and to provide for erecting the public buildings for the use of Cambria county

    Act 60 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  93. Authorizing the court of quarter sessions of Chester county to direct a review of that part of the state road leading from Philadelphia to the borough of York which lies between West Chester and the line dividing Chester and Lancaster counties

    Act 61 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  94. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to incorporate the Presbyterian congregation in Donegal township in the county of Lancaster."

    Act 62 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  95. Appropriate a sum of money for improving the road from Pittsburgh to the borough of Beaver

    Act 63 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  96. Erect the town of Erie in the county of Erie into a borough and for other purposes

    Act 64 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  97. Directing the mode of selecting and returning jurors

    Act 65 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  98. Repeal in part the act entitled "An act to regulate fences and to encourage the raising of swine."

    Act 66 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  99. Empower the Board of Wardens for the port of Philadelphia to collect a certain duty on tonnage for the purposes therein mentioned

    Act 67 of 1805 · 1805 · Original text

  100. Granting arrearages of state taxes yet due from York county to the directors of the poor

    Act 68 of 1805 · 1805 · 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.