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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. Regulating the proceedings of county commissioners and treasurers in certain cases

    Act 169 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  2. Establishing the seat of justice in the county district of Tioga

    Act 170 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  3. Enable John Philip de Gruchy and John Boyd, guardians of Jane Humphreys, a minor, to make partition on her behalf of lands belonging to her and others as tenants in common

    Act 171 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  4. Better regulating and enforcing the proceedings in cases of damages under $20 before a justice of the peace or alderman

    Act 172 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  5. Empower William Flintham, father of John Flintham, a minor, to sell and convey real estate belonging to the said minor

    Act 173 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  6. Regulate arbitrations and proceedings in courts of justice

    Act 174 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  7. Supplement to sundry penal laws of this commonwealth

    Act 175 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  8. Vest in the courts of common pleas certain powers concerning writs of partition

    Act 176 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  9. Establishment of a college at the town of Washington in the county of Washington in the state of Pennsylvania

    Act 177 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  10. Authorizing the governor to incorporate a company for the purpose of making an artificial road from the village of Maytown in the county of Lancaster to Nicholas's Tavern or Cross Roads intersecting the Lancaster and Middletown turnpike

    Act 178 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  11. Enable the governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road by the best and nearest route from Triewig's Tavern in Bucks county by way of Samuel Seller's Tavern, Quakertown Meeting house and Cooper's Tavern to Northamptontown

    Act 179 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  12. Relief of nonresident owners of lands in Sugar Creek Township, Venango County

    Act 180 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  13. Enable James Lloyd, Junior, of Boston to sell and convey one moiety of a Messuage and lot of ground therein described

    Act 181 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  14. Incorporate the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

    Act 182 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  15. Enable the governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from Berwick on the north-east branch of the Susquehanna or from the mouth of the Lower Whopehawley to that point on the north line of the state which is nearest to Newtown on the

    Act 183 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  16. Erect the town of Bellefonte in Centre County into a borough

    Act 184 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  17. Relief of John Cummins and William Cooper

    Act 185 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  18. Revive and amend an act entitled "An act to authorize the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the river Lehigh near the town of Northampton."

    Act 186 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  19. Relief of John Ryan

    Act 187 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  20. Enable Amos Jordan and Sophia Jordan, executors named in the will of John Jordan, deceased, to convey a certain house and lot of ground in Millerstown, Greenwood township, Cumberland County

    Act 188 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  21. Provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor in the county of Dauphin

    Act 189 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  22. Relief of George Vance

    Act 190 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  23. Grant Samuel Plummer the preemption right to a certain lot in the town of Franklin

    Act 191 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  24. Continue in force for a limited time the first section of the act entitled "An act for ascertaining the right of this state to certain lands north and west of the river Ohio and Allegheny and Conewango Creek."

    Act 192 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  25. Making appropriations for improving the road leading from near the Bald Eagle's Nest in Centre county to the river Allegheny in Venango county and a road in Greene county

    Act 193 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  26. Relief of Henry Dougherty, Junior

    Act 194 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  27. Granting $1,500 to the commissioners of Venango county for the purpose of erecting public buildings for the use of said county

    Act 195 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  28. Extinguish the lien of the commonwealth on certain specific parts of the estate of the late John Nicholson in favor of Thomas Ryerson

    Act 196 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  29. Supplement to act entitled "An act enjoining certain duties on the holders of warrants not executed and on the holders of unseated lands."

    Act 197 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  30. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for 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 198 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  31. Relief of Rudolph Spangler

    Act 199 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  32. Appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of opening and improving a public road between Somerset and Washington on the Laurel Hill

    Act 200 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  33. Regulate the lower ferry and the upper bridge on the river Schuylkill

    Act 201 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  34. Authorizing the governor to subscribe for certain shares in the Erie and Waterford turnpike road

    Act 202 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  35. Erecting certain election districts and making alterations in other districts already erected

    Act 203 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  36. Making appropriation for the improvement of certain roads

    Act 204 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  37. Restrain the horrid practice of dueling

    Act 205 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  38. Making appropriations and for other purposes therein mentioned

    Act 206 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  39. Raise by way of lottery the sum of $7,000 to enable the company for the purpose of promoting the cultivation of vines to pay their debts and accomplish the object of their association and $2,000 for erecting a school house near Summonytown

    Act 207 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  40. More speedy and effectual collection of certain debts due to this commonwealth

    Act 208 of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  41. Resolutions

    Resolution of 1806 · 1806 · Original text

  42. Encourage the killing of panthers

    Act 1 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  43. Relief of John Hart

    Act 2 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  44. Enable Nicholas Swope, administrator of Joseph Devoss, deceased, to convey a part of a tract of land to Jacob Hough, assignee of John Devoss

    Act 3 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  45. Enable Peter W. Gallaudet of the state of Connecticut to sell and convey one moiety of a certain plantation, messuage and lot of ground therein described

    Act 4 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  46. Authorizing the commissioners of Indiana county, to levy and collect county taxes in the county of Jefferson

    Act 5 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  47. Supplement to the act, entitled "An act to alter the judiciary system of this commonwealth," and to alter the time of holding the courts of common pleas and quarter sessions and orphans' court, in the county of Washington

    Act 6 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  48. Supplementary to an act, entitled "An act directing the sale of certain town lots in the town of Beaver, and other lands adjacent thereto."

    Act 7 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  49. Relief of James Oglivia

    Act 8 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  50. Authorize Johnathan Hill and Elizabeth Thatcher executors to the estate of Daniel Hill, deceased, to convey a certain piece of land therein mentioned

    Act 9 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  51. Enable the administrators of the estate of James Carmichael, deceased, to complete the title to certain lands sold by their interstate by certain articles of agreement

    Act 10 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  52. Further extending the act entitled "An act for the relief of divers inhabitants of the county of Adams."

    Act 11 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  53. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor in Montgomery county."

    Act 12 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  54. Authorize the Governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road through the counties of Wayne and Luzerne beginning at the river Delaware where the proposed bridge is to be built near the town of Milford thence to or near the state line

    Act 13 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  55. Afford immediate relief to Dennis M'Knight, a soldier during the revolutionary war, and to grant him an annuity

    Act 14 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  56. Establish a public ferry on the west side of the river Susquehanna about eight miles above the mouth of the Juniata river in Cumberland county and to vest the right thereof in Mary Clark, her heirs and assigns

    Act 15 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  57. Organize the provisional county of Cambria

    Act 16 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  58. Enable aliens in certain cases to purchase and hold real estate within this commonwealth

    Act 17 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  59. Authorizing certain trustees to sell and convey a plantation or tract of land in Chester county, being the joint property of the Anabaptist congregation in Vincent township and the congregation of St. Peter's church in Tredyffrin township

    Act 18 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  60. Relief of James Mitchell

    Act 19 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  61. Relief of divers purchasers of the confiscated estate of Harry Gordon who were evicted from the same

    Act 20 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  62. Aiding the commissioners of Beaver County to procure water in the borough of Beaver

    Act 21 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  63. Authorizing the commissioners of Bedford and Indiana counties to levy and collect county taxes for the years 1807 and 1808

    Act 22 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  64. Further supplement to the act entitled "An act to provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor in the county of York."

    Act 23 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  65. Relief of Isaac Ely

    Act 24 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  66. Authorizing the secretary of the commonwealth to procure an additional number of copies of Carey and Bioren's edition of the laws with Bioren's continuation

    Act 25 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  67. Enabling Anna Maria Hanke, the wife of Matthew Hanke, late Anna Maria Eyerly, widow and relict of Jacob Eyerly, Junior, deceased, and administratrix de bonis non of the said Jacob Eyerly, Junior, with the will annexed, to convey certain lands

    Act 26 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  68. Relief of Abraham Griffiths

    Act 27 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  69. Relief of Doctor Samuel Edmiston

    Act 28 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  70. Establishing and confirming the place for holding the courts of justice in the county district of McKean

    Act 29 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  71. Appointing a trustee in Centre county

    Act 30 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  72. Relief of Andres Patterson

    Act 31 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  73. Enable Jonathan Mifflin to convey a part of a certain tract of land therein mentioned

    Act 32 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  74. Relief of James Ralston

    Act 33 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  75. Relief of William Sherrard

    Act 34 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  76. Declaring part of Brush creek in the county of Bedford and parts of Allegheny river and Oswaye and Conondau creeks in the counties of Potter and M'Kean and Bald Eagle creek in Centre county public streams or highways

    Act 35 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  77. Raise by way of lottery sundry sums of money for the purposes therein mentioned

    Act 36 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  78. Supplement to "An act to enable the governor to incorporate a company for opening a canal and lock navigation between the rivers Schuylkill and Susquehanna by the waters of Tulpehocken, Quittapahilla and Swatara in the counties of Berks and Dauphin."

    Act 37 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  79. Authorizing the governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from Harrisburg through Lewistown and Huntingdon to Pittsburgh

    Act 38 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  80. Relief of Jeremiah Loughrey

    Act 39 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  81. Encourage the killing of squirrels and crows in certain parts of this commonwealth

    Act 40 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  82. Supplement to the act entitled "An act to provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor in the county of Dauphin."

    Act 41 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  83. Granting to Joseph Salmon a tract of donation land in remuneration for his services and sufferings during the revolutionary war

    Act 42 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  84. Relief of Gaspar Driver

    Act 43 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  85. Enable Abraham Reist and Jacob Hostetter to sell and convey a certain lot of ground therein mentioned

    Act 44 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  86. Establishing and confirming the place for holding the courts of justice in the county district of Potter

    Act 45 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  87. Provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor in the county of Franklin

    Act 46 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  88. Granting a sum of money to the trustees of the Reading Academy for the use of the said academy

    Act 47 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  89. Enable Thomas Alleson and Samuel Agnew to sell and convey certain lands therein mentioned

    Act 48 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  90. Enable James Maris and Samuel Davis, administrators to the estate of Thomas West, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate therein mentioned

    Act 49 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  91. Incorporate the Philadelphia Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Manufactures

    Act 50 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  92. Relief of James Smith

    Act 51 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  93. Granting $2,000 to the commissioners of Erie county for the purpose of erecting public buildings for the use of said county

    Act 52 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  94. Regulate the fisheries in the river Susquehanna and its branches

    Act 53 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  95. Supplement to an act entitled "An act for the more speedy and effectual collection of certain debts due to this commonwealth."

    Act 54 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  96. Incorporate the Lancaster and Susquehanna Insurance Company

    Act 55 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  97. Alter the time of holding the June fair in the borough and county of Lancaster

    Act 56 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  98. Granting to the trustees of the University of Pennsylvania a sum of money for the purpose of enabling them to establish a botanical garden

    Act 57 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  99. Establishing an academy in the borough of Wilkesbarre in the county of Luzerne and granting a sum of money thereto

    Act 58 of 1807 · 1807 · Original text

  100. Enable Sarah Morgan, administratrix, and Jonathan Morgan, administrator to the estate of Isaac Morgan, deceased, to convey a tract of land in Charlestown Township, Chester county

    Act 59 of 1807 · 1807 · 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.