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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. To incorporate the "Pennsylvania Hotel company"

    Act 108 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  2. To confirm the title to certain real estate in the county of Philadelphia, and to authorize Robert M'Coy, guardian of George and Sarah Parkinson, to sell a certain lot of ground in the borough of Mechanicsburg, in the county of Cumberland

    Act 109 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  3. To incorporate the Lewisburg, Penns Valley and Hollidaysburg Railroad company

    Act 110 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  4. For the relief of James Caldwell, surviving partner of the late firm of Caldwell and Nice, contractors on the Eastern Division of the Pennsylvania canal

    Act 111 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  5. For the relief of Isaac and Abraham Straub

    Act 112 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  6. Act to authorize Elizabeth R. Olden, guardian of Joseph Olden, a lunatic, and Mary Hoffmaster, to sell and convey certain real estate, and for other purposes - amend - authority to sell the estate; duties of the inspectors of Philadelphia county prison

    Act 113 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  7. Act to incorporate the Belvidere, Delaware bridge company - amend - assent of Pennsylvania to the act of New Jersey; annual statement to Auditor General

    Act 114 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  8. To authorize the Governor to incorporate the Dunnstown Bridge company, and for other purposes

    Act 115 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  9. To incorporate the Chester county Insurance company

    Act 116 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  10. Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Chambersburg and Loudon railroad company

    Act 117 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  11. Act extending the charter of the Farmers' Bank of Bucks county - amend - capital stock; directors to elect one of their number to be president

    Act 118 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  12. For the relief of George Kinzer and Henry A. Raub, and for other purposes

    Act 119 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  13. For the relief of Henry H. Burr and William M'Coy, and for the relief of Louisa De Pui, administratrix of John De Pui, deceased

    Act 120 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  14. To incorporate the Pike county and Port Jervis bridge company

    Act 121 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  15. To authorize the Governor to incorporate a company to make a turnpike road from the Nanticoke Dam in Luzerne county, via Shickshinny and Columbus, to Hughesville, in Lycoming county, and also an act relative to the Milford and Owego turnpike road, and to

    Act 122 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  16. To incorporate the Lebanon Valley railroad company

    Act 123 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  17. To incorporate the Monroe Delaware Bridge Company

    Act 124 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  18. Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Erie railroad company

    Act 125 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  19. Authorizing the Governor to make a temporary loan to pay for locomotive engines

    Act 126 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  20. Act to authorize the sale and conveyance of certain real estate, and for other purposes - amend - John Duncan and Joseph Kepner to sell Nicholas Biddinger's real estate; Barbara Booker to release to Elizabeth Booker for a tract of land

    Act 127 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  21. To authorize the opening and extension of Robinson and Leacock streets, and Rebecca street, in the borough of Allegheny, and the opening of a sixty feet street between out lots numbered thirty-nine and forty, in said borough

    Act 128 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  22. Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Muncy Canal company, and to authorize the United States Bank to establish a branch at the town of Erie

    Act 129 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  23. To re-charter the North America Coal company

    Act 130 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  24. Changing the name of "The president, managers and company for the purpose of obtaining slate from quarries within the county of Northampton," to that of "The Pennsylvania Slate Company , " and for other purposes

    Act 131 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  25. Act to incorporate the Franklin Railroad company - amend - Greencastle made a point

    Act 132 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  26. To incorporate the Philadelphia and Port Deposit Railroad company

    Act 133 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  27. To increase the capital stock of the Lumbermen's Bank at Warren and to authorize the United States Bank to establish an office of discount and deposit at Erie, Pennsylvania

    Act 134 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  28. To extend the charter of the Philadelphia Bank

    Act 135 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  29. To incorporate the Berks county Bank, and to repeal an act to incorporate the Berks county Savings institution, and for other purposes

    Act 136 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  30. Requiring the Banks of this commonwealth to make quarterly statements to the Auditor General, and for other purposes

    Act 138 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  31. Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Titusville and Union Mills turnpike road company

    Act 139 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  32. To dissolve the marriage contract of Robert Ramsey and Jane his wife

    Act 140 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  33. Act incorporating the city of Pittsburg - amend - powers of mayor; commissioners authorized to borrow money to erect a court house

    Act 141 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  34. For the prevention of injuries to individuals by the gross negligence, or wilful misconduct of stage drivers and others

    Act 142 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  35. To the several acts incorporating the Fishing creek, Roush creek, and Swatara and Good Spring creek railroad companies, passed April 1 and 2, 1831, and April 8, 1833, and Liggett's gap railroad company, passed April 7, 1832 - amend - time for commencing a

    Act 143 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  36. Erecting parts of Northampton and Pike counties into a separate county, to be called Monroe

    Act 144 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  37. For the relief of Josiah Pell, and other soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary war

    Act 145 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  38. Regulating Election Districts, and for other purposes

    Act 146 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  39. To incorporate the New Holland Railroad company

    Act 147 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  40. Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Catawissa and Towanda Railroad company, and for other purposes

    Act 148 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  41. To incorporate a company to make a railroad through the unincorporated district of Northern Liberties, in the county of Philadelphia, from the village of Richmond, on the Delaware river, to terminate at a junction with the Columbia and Philadelphia railro

    Act 149 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  42. For the relief of George Dannenhower, and other soldiers and widows of soldiers of the revolutionary war

    Act 150 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  43. The Towanda and Franklin Railroad company

    Act 151 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  44. To incorporate the president and trustees of the Presque Isle Hospital at Erie, Pennsylvania and to exempt from county and township taxation, the property of the contributors to the asylum for the relief of persons deprived of their reason, in the county

    Act 152 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  45. To incorporate the Kensington and Penntownship Railroad company

    Act 153 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  46. Authorizing the Governor to incorporate a company to build a Toll Bridge over the river Schuylkill, at or near to Mohr's tavern, in Windsor township, Berks county, and for other purposes

    Act 154 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  47. Act for the regulation of the militia of this commonwealth - amend - Citizen Blues Indiana co; Franklin Blues and Chambersburg Artillerists, Franklin co

    Act 155 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  48. To incorporate the Pine Grove and Schuylkill Haven Railroad company

    Act 156 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  49. Act to incorporate the Manufacturers' and Mechanics' bank of the Northern Liberties, in the county of Philadelphia - amend - charter extended 20 years; right to increase capital stock

    Act 157 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  50. To recharter the Bank of Penn township, in the county of Philadelphia

    Act 158 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  51. To correct an error in transcribing Act number one hundred and fifty-one

    Act 159 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  52. Authorizing the laying out of certain State Roads, and for other purposes

    Act 160 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  53. Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the New Castle Railroad company

    Act 161 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  54. To incorporate the Lyken's Valley Coal company, in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and to authorize the opening of a road in Honesdale, Wayne county

    Act 162 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  55. For the relief of Massey Harbeson, widow of a soldier of the Indian war

    Act 163 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  56. Act dividing the borough of Easton into two wards - amend - each ward to elect its own assessors and constables

    Act 164 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  57. To authorize a temporary loan for the use of the commonwealth

    Act 165 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  58. To consolidate and amend the several acts relative to a general system of education by common schools

    Act 166 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  59. Relating to the tolls on that part of the Cumberland road which passes through Pennsylvania, and for other purposes

    Act 167 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  60. Relating to the support and employment of the poor

    Act 168 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  61. Relating to roads, highways and bridges

    Act 169 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  62. Relating to the commencement of actions

    Act 170 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  63. Relating to lunatics and habitual drunkards

    Act 171 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  64. Relating to Domestic Attachments

    Act 172 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  65. Relating to the attachment of Vessels

    Act 173 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  66. Relating to writs Quo Warranto and Mandamus

    Act 174 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  67. Relating to assignees for the benefit of creditors, and other trustees

    Act 175 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  68. Relating to Bonds, with Penalties and Official Bonds

    Act 176 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  69. Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Philadelphia and Taylorsville railroad company, the Hestonville and Schuylkill railroad company, to amend the charter of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad company, and the Little Schuylkill navigation railro

    Act 177 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  70. For the relief of Joseph Barnett and others, soldiers and widows of soldiers of the revolutionary war

    Act 178 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  71. To incorporate the Quinn's Run railroad and coal company and to incorporate the Shamokin coal and mining company, and for other purposes

    Act 179 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  72. Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Huntingdon and Chambersburg Railroad company

    Act 180 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  73. Authorizing John Gamber of Dauphin county, to construct a canal or slip from the Pennsylvania canal to his furnace, and for other purposes

    Act 181 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  74. Supplementary to the various acts relating to Orphans' and Registers courts, and executors and administrators, and the act relating to the measurement of grain, salt, and coal

    Act 182 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  75. To incorporate the Reading, Fredericksburg and Susquehanna Railroad company

    Act 183 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  76. Relating to the lien of Mechanics and others, upon Buildings

    Act 184 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  77. Regulating Election districts, and for other purposes

    Act 185 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  78. Relating to Reference and Arbitration

    Act 186 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  79. Relating to Insolvent Debtors

    Act 187 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  80. For the relief of the heirs of Hugh Johnston, and Margaret Patterson

    Act 188 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  81. To authorize Isaac C. Worrell and Richard Stout, surviving trustees for the Free Will baptists of the borough of Frankford, to sell certain real estate, and to authorizing the church wardens of the Protestant Episcopal church of Morgantown, in the county

    Act 189 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  82. To authorize suit to be brought upon the official bond of William B. Mitchell, late superintendent

    Act 190 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  83. Relating to executions

    Act 191 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  84. Relating to the jurisdictions and powers of courts

    Act 192 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  85. To fix the number of Senators and Representatives, and form the state into districts, in pursuance of the provisions of the constitution

    Act 193 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  86. To encourage the manufacture of Iron with Coke or Mineral Coal, and for other purposes

    Act 194 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  87. For the relief of James Richy, and other soldiers and widows of soldiers of the revolutionary war

    Act 195 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  88. For the relief of Thomas Davis and others, soldiers and widows of soldiers of the revolutionary war

    Act 196 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  89. Act relating to Aldermen for the county of Philadelphia - amend - granting powers to justices of the peace in Philadelphia co.; fees and perquisites; justices of the peace made aldermen

    Act 197 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  90. To incorporate the Preston Retreat, and relative to the sale of lands of St. John's church, in Norristown, Montgomery county, and for other purposes

    Act 198 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  91. Act to amend an act entitled An act to incorporate the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal company, and for other purposes - amend - commissioners to appraise damages; corporate powers; borrow money; corporators of the Steam Navigation company; Southern Loan

    Act 199 of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  92. Resolution relative to the accounts of Philip Peltz, late treasurer of the county of Philadelphia

    Resolution of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  93. Resolution relative to the claim of Le Grand Bancroft and John D. Petriken and Brown and Sawyer, and Josephine C.B. Nourse

    Resolution of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  94. Resolution relative to the claims of Joseph Smith, Peter Livergood, George Patton Boyer, John Gallaugher and George Keener, Isaac Kleckner and James M'Gee, for damages done by the construction of the Pennsylvania

    Resolution of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  95. Resolution authorizing John T.M. Bedell and others, to change their names, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  96. Resolution authorizing superintendents of motive power on railways of the commonwealth, to draw and disburse monies, under certain conditions, and for certain purposes

    Resolution of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  97. Resolution requiring the President, Faculty and Trustees of Colleges, and Trustees or Managers of Academies or Schools, (other than Common Schools,) to make certain reports to the Superintendent of Common Schools

    Resolution of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  98. Resolution relative to the claim of Edward Innman, James and Samuel Thompson, and Joseph Wright

    Resolution of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  99. Resolution relative to the claims of John A. Lloyd, the heirs of John Lawson, deceased, Franklin Stratton, James P. White, and William Graham and Jane Parsons

    Resolution of 1836 · 1836 · Original text

  100. Resolution to authorize the Canal Commissioners to liquidate the damages sustained by Priscilla Cahill, and Samuel B. Young, by reason of the destruction of their property by fire from locomotives, on the

    Resolution of 1836 · 1836 · 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.