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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

2,121 laws of the 1830s

Constitution of 1790

  1. Act to enable the Governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from Spring House tavern, in Montgomery county, and thence to the borough of Northampton, in the county of Lehigh, and to the town of Bethlehem, in the county of

    Act 168 of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  2. Authorizing the Governor to incorporate two companies to build bridges over the river Schuylkill in Berks county

    Act 169 of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  3. Directing the collection of a debt due to the Commonwealth

    Act 170 of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  4. Regulating Election Districts

    Act 171 of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  5. Authorizing the Governor to incorporate a company to extend the West Chester rail road into and along the streets of the borough, and for other purposes

    Act 172 of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  6. Authorizing the laying out of a state road from McClean's mill, in Beaver county, to some point at or near Perrysville, in Allegheny county, and for other purposes

    Act 173 of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  7. To abolish imprisonment for debt, and for other purposes

    Act 174 of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  8. Act to enlarge the buildings of the State Penitentiary, for the Eastern District, and for other purposes - amend - powers of commissioners; sell county property; appropriation to Harrisburg academy

    Act 175 of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  9. Resolutions relative to the Union of the States, and the Constitution of the United States

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  10. Resolutions relative to laying rails upon the Columbia bridge

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  11. Resolutions relative to the payment of the costs in certain cases of supposed Escheat

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  12. Resolutions relative to the entire abolition of Lotteries

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  13. Resolutions relative to the repairing of the Public Buildings

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  14. Resolutions relative to the payment of lock-keepers and collectors

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  15. Resolutions for the relief of Isaac Griffith, late Marshal of the eastern district of Pennsylvania

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  16. Resolutions relative to canal damages on Grant's Hill

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  17. Resolutions relative to calculating interest upon mortgages in the Land Office

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  18. Resolutions relative to the estate of John De Pui

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  19. Resolutions relative to the disposal of water power at Milton, Northumberland county

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  20. Resolutions relative to the Tariff

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  21. Resolutions relative to the Peninsula at the Bay of Presque Isle, on Lake Erie

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  22. Resolutions for the relief of John Kelker, late Deputy Marshal of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and for the relief of Jacob Heck, late Brigade Inspector, second brigade, eleventh division, Pennsylvania militia

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  23. Resolutions relative to the payment of interest on the first of August next

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  24. Resolutions for the relief of William B. Mitchell

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  25. Resolutions relative to pay of Clerk hire in the Auditor General's office, and contingent expenses in the office of the Secretary of the Land Office, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  26. Resolutions relative to the payment of Collectors and Toll-keepers on the Pennsylvania Canal

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  27. Resolutions relative to the use of the water of the river Delaware

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  28. Resolutions relative to the free use of the Louisville and Portland canal

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  29. Resolutions relative to the distribution of the proceeds of the Public Lands of the United States

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  30. Resolutions relative to the distribution of the proceeds of the Public Lands of the United States

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  31. Resolutions relative to the division line of Union and Lycoming counties

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  32. Resolutions relative to the Columbia rail road, at Lancaster

    Resolution of 1833 · 1833 · Original text

  33. Providing for the election of a Senator, to represent this State in the Senate of the United States

    Act 1 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  34. For the relief of Thomas Milliken and Jesse M'Quaid

    Act 2 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  35. To provide for the divisibility and transfer of the certificate of loan granted to the Union Canal company of Pennsylvania, in like manner with the other loans of this Commonwealth

    Act 3 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  36. Making an appropriation for the repair of the Pennsylvania Canal and Rail-Road

    Act 4 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  37. Act incorporating the city of Pittsburg - amend - divide into 4 wards; elections; qualified to vote; classification of members of the select council

    Act 5 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  38. To authorize the Orphans' Court of Dauphin county to appoint William Ayres, of Dauphin county, trustee of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Ayres, and her children

    Act 6 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  39. Act to enable the Governor to appoint Notaries Public, and for other purposes - amend - appoint four additional notaries public for Allegheny county; appoint an additional notary for the county of Bucks

    Act 7 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  40. For the relief of George Hood, John Spering, John Ulrich, and Valentine Stober, soldiers, and Margaret Loeb, the widow of a revolutionary soldier

    Act 8 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  41. To recharter the Bank of Pittsburg

    Act 9 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  42. Act to authorize an assignment of the concerns of the Philadelphia and Pittsburg Transporting Company - amend - appoint assignees in behalf of the creditors

    Act 10 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  43. Authorizing the sale of the real estate of Samuel Mellick, late of Northampton county, deceased

    Act 11 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  44. Several acts laying a tax on dogs in the county of Washington - repeal

    Act 12 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  45. Act for incorporating the "Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire" - amend - invest money; hold real estate; title to lot confirmed

    Act 13 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  46. To authorize the trustees of the Associate Presbyterian or Secession congregation of Mercer to execute a deed to James Magoffin, junior, for two lots of ground in the borough of Mercer

    Act 14 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  47. For the relief of Peter Gerhart, Henry Snyder, and John Wilfong, soldiers, and Catherine Nungesser, Catharine Curry and Barbara Stahle, the widows of revolutionary soldiers

    Act 15 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  48. Making an appropriation for the repair of the Pittsburg and Butler turnpike road

    Act 16 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  49. To incorporate and endow the Pennsylvania Institution for the instruction of the blind

    Act 17 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  50. Authorizing a temporary Loan for the use of the Commonwealth

    Act 18 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  51. Providing for the payment of Appraisers of Damages

    Act 19 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  52. Act concerning the administration of justice - amend - special courts in the county of Butler held under the provisions of "An act for holding Special Courts of Common Pleas"

    Act 20 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  53. Act to authorize Samuel Landis, guardian of Susanna and John Markly, and John Eichholtz, guardian of Ann, Daniel, Mary, Henry, and Solomon Markly, minor children of John Markly, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate

    Act 21 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  54. For the relief of sundry soldiers and widows of soldiers of the revolutionary war

    Act 22 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  55. To enable the Governor to incorporate a company to make a turnpike road from Bethany, to intersect the Clarksville and Honesdale turnpike, near Benjamin Jenkins', in Canaan township

    Act 23 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  56. For the relief of Andrew Wallace, a soldiers of the revolutionary war

    Act 24 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  57. For the relief of John Sparry, Isaac Sullender, James Hogge and Conrad Schlagle, soldiers of the revolutionary war

    Act 25 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  58. Act relative to actions of ejectment - amend - duty of the court to award alias and pluries writs of habere facias possessionem

    Act 26 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  59. To incorporate the Yardleyville Delaware Bridge Company

    Act 27 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  60. To authorize a loan for the completion of the new prison and debtors' apartment in the county of Philadelphia

    Act 28 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  61. For the endowment of Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg

    Act 29 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  62. Act to incorporate the Philadelphia, Germantown, and Norristown rail-road company - amend - extend rail-road; may use bed of public road; assessment of damages

    Act 30 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  63. To authorize the Appraisers of Damages on the Pennsylvania Canal to settle and adjust the claim of damages of Andrew Boggs

    Act 31 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  64. For the relief of sundry soldiers and a widow of a soldier of the revolution

    Act 32 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  65. To incorporate the Dingman's Choice and Delaware Bridge Company

    Act 33 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  66. To relinquish the title of this Commonwealth to certain real estate in Darby township, in the county of Delaware, lately held by Joseph Wood, and to vest the same in his widow, Rachel Wood

    Act 34 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  67. To incorporate the borough of Marietta, in the county of Lancaster

    Act 35 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  68. Granting Andrew Dennis compensation for a tract of donation land

    Act 36 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  69. Act to incorporate the district of Spring Garden - amend - examine election returns; appoint inspectors of wood; rates of wharfage; assessment for improvements

    Act 37 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  70. Act to incorporate the city of Lancaster - amend - jurisdiction and powers of aldermen

    Act 38 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  71. For the relief of George Hess, Robert Peling, and Nicholas Neyfang, soldiers of the revolutionary war

    Act 39 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  72. For the relief of Henry Cristman, George Ruckle, Nathan James, and Robert Wright, soldiers, and Agnes Beck, the widow of a revolutionary soldier

    Act 40 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  73. To authorize the Trustees of the First Presbyterian congregation in the city of Philadelphia, to sell certain real estate

    Act 41 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  74. For the relief of sundry soldiers, and widows of soldiers of the revolutionary war

    Act 42 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  75. For the relief of sundry soldiers and the widows of revolutionary soldiers

    Act 43 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  76. Incorporating the town of Lawrenceville into a borough

    Act 44 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  77. To recharter the Kensington Bank, in the county of Philadelphia

    Act 45 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  78. For the relief of Martin Miller and others, soldiers of the revolutionary war

    Act 46 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  79. Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Strasburg rail road, the Williamsport and Elmira rail road, the Marietta and Columbia rail road, the Portsmouth and Lancaster rail road, and incorporating a company to make the Oxford rail road - amend - add

    Act 47 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  80. For the relief of James Huston and others, soldiers of the revolutionary war

    Act 48 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  81. To make records and exemplications of records evidence

    Act 49 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  82. For the improvement and increase of the State library

    Act 50 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  83. Acts relating to the District Court of the counties of Lancaster and York, and to the Court of Quarter Sessions of York county - amend - duty of judge; jurisdiction extended

    Act 51 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  84. Relating to executors and administrators

    Act 52 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  85. For the improvement of the borough of Norristown, in the county of Montgomery

    Act 53 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  86. Act to incorporate the town of Wommelsdorf in the county of Berks - amend - constable to be elected; borough exempted from road tax

    Act 54 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  87. To erect the town of North East, in the county of Erie, into a borough

    Act 55 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  88. Laying a tax on dogs in the borough of Pottsville, in the county of Schuylkill, and in the borough of Alexandria, in Huntingdon county

    Act 56 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  89. For the relief of sundry soldiers and widows of soldiers of the revolutionary war

    Act 57 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  90. For the establishment of a College at Bristol, in the county of Bucks

    Act 58 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  91. To incorporate the Lumbermen's Bank at Warren

    Act 59 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  92. Incorporating the Port Carbon Saving Fund society

    Act 60 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  93. For the relief of Ann Mary Rinehart, Olive Fullingsby and Catharine Schroeder, Eleanor Bean, and Jane Hutchinson, widows of revolutionary soldiers

    Act 61 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  94. To enable Thomas Chambers, administrator de bonis non, with the will annexed, of the honorable Thomas Duncan, deceased, and Frederick Watts, guardian of the minor children of Robert C. Duncan, deceased, to carry into full effect a certain compromise,

    Act 62 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  95. Granting aid to Washington College

    Act 63 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  96. For the endowment of La Fayette College at Easton

    Act 64 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  97. Authorizing the election of additional supervisors in North Beaver township, Beaver county, Ross township, Allegheny county, and West Salem and Mahoning townships, Mercer county

    Act 65 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  98. To incorporate the Norristown Insurance company of Montgomery county

    Act 66 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  99. To re-charter the Schuylkill Bank in the city of Philadelphia

    Act 67 of 1834 · 1834 · Original text

  100. To extend the charter of the York Bank in the county of York

    Act 68 of 1834 · 1834 · 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.