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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

3,241 laws of the 1840s

Constitution of 1838

  1. Resolution relative to the township elections in the county of Elk

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  2. Resolution authorizing the auditor general to pay Samuel T. Williams for furnishing diagrams of the house and senate chamber

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  3. Resolution for the payment of expense attending the investigation of the matters of inquiry connected with the election of state printers, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  4. Resolution relative to newspapers

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  5. Resolution relative to the compensation of Daniel Forrey

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  6. Resolution relative to the boundary line of Mauch Chunk and Lausanne township, in the county of Carbon

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  7. Resolution relative to United States pensioners

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  8. Resolution relating to the compensation of John Laird, late assistant sergeant-at-arms of the senate

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  9. Resolution Relative to the tariff

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  10. Resolution relative to the prosecution of certain persons

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  11. Resolution correct an error in an act for the relief of Daniel Henderson, and others, soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian wars; Catharine Scheetz, Lehigh county

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  12. Resolution for the relief of Colonel A.J. Pleasanton, late acting paymaster general and disbursing officer of volunteers, in service assistant adjutant general

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  13. Resolution to suspend the operation of the act concerning road views and road damages, etc., so far as respects the county of Lancaster, until the first day of February next

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  14. Resolution relative to the destruction of fish in certain streams in Greene and Crawford counties

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  15. Resolution to authorize the county commissioners of Philadelphia county to borrow money, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  16. Resolution to authorize the employment of clerks to comparing committees

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  17. Resolution relative to Milesburg and Smithport turnpike road company

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  18. Resolution to legalize the election of school directors in North Lebanon township, Lebanon county

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  19. Resolution correct a mistake made in the act to appropriate certain unseated land taxes in the county of Bradford

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  20. Resolution in relation to the navigation of the river Delaware

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  21. Resolution relative to the fine imposed upon General Andrew Jackson, by Judge Hall, at New Orleans

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  22. Resolution for re-auditing the accounts of Erastus Hill

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  23. Resolution relative to the claim of Samuel Davis

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  24. Resolution relative to the distribution of the census and the eighth and ninth volumes of the laws of Pennsylvania

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  25. Resolution relative to the translators of the journals of both houses

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  26. Resolution authorizing the auditor general to settle the accounts of William J.B. Andrews late clerk of the house of representatives

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  27. Resolution authorizing the re-settlement of the accounts of Elijah N. Doane, collector at Northumberland

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  28. Resolution relative to employing counsel in the cases of the Commonwealth vs. Thomas Weaver and Frederick Fritz

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  29. Resolution relative to building a bridge over the Ohio river

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  30. Resolution relative to the annual reports of the heads of departments

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  31. Resolution correction of an error in the act to change the names of certain persons therein named; Evread Oles name changed

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  32. Resolution relative to the expenses of the legislature

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  33. Resolution relative to the claim of J. W. Hammond for certain services rendered in the treasury office

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  34. Resolution relative to the preservation and improvement of the harbor of Erie

    Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text

  35. Resolution repealing the act relative to employing counsel in the cases of the Commonwealth vs. Thomas Weaver and Frederick Fritz

    Act jr04 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  36. To change the time of holding elections in the county of Tioga

    Act 1 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  37. To change the location of an alley in the city of Allegheny

    Act 2 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  38. Several acts incorporating the Schuylkill Valley navigation and railroad company - amend - lateral roads

    Act 3 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  39. Act to provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor for the county of Lehigh - amend - duty of judges and inspectors; duty of clerk of quarter sessions; election and classification of directors

    Act 4 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  40. To incorporate the Mutual fire insurance company of Berks county

    Act 5 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  41. Act to authorize the governor to incorporate a company to make a lock navigation on the river Monongahela - amend - erecting a lock house

    Act 6 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  42. To suspend the payment of the principal of domestic creditors' certificates

    Act 7 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  43. Act regarding election districts - amend - election of justices of the peace in Manayunk

    Act 8 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  44. Appropriating money to the payment of the interest on the public debt of Pennsylvania falling due on February 1, 1845

    Act 9 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  45. To change the venue of certain cases

    Act 10 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  46. To provide for the redemption of the over-issue of relief notes by the Berks County Bank

    Act 11 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  47. Act to incorporate the Insurance company of North America - amend - increase number of directors

    Act 12 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  48. To change the time fixed for holding the November, December and March courts, in the seventeenth district

    Act 13 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  49. Authorizing the administrators of Daniel Fisher to make a deed for certain real estate

    Act 14 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  50. Act concerning road views and road damages in Berks, Lancaster and Bucks counties - repeal - as relates to Lancaster county

    Act 15 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  51. Authorizing the inhabitants of Big Beaver township, Beaver county, to elect four supervisors

    Act 16 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  52. Authorizing the commissioners of Cumberland and Perry counties to pay a certain amount of money to the supervisors of Mifflin and Jackson townships, in said counties

    Act 17 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  53. Relative to roads in certain townships in the county of Delaware

    Act 18 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  54. Act to incorporate sundry Baptist churches in Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, called the Central Union Association of Independent or Congregational Baptist churches - amend - election of trustees

    Act 19 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  55. To confer on Mary Ann Brubaker the rights and privileges of a child born in lawful wedlock

    Act 20 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  56. To annul the marriage of Albert G. Emerick and Elizabeth L. Emerick

    Act 21 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  57. Relating to road and bridge viewers in the counties of Clearfield, Greene, Washington and Fayette

    Act 22 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  58. Act to authorize the governor to incorporate a company to make a lock navigation on the river Schuylkill - amend - build and own boats and cars

    Act 23 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  59. To incorporate the Harrisburg cemetery association

    Act 24 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  60. Act assenting to a purchase made by the United States of a piece of land near Pittsburg - amend - land purchases vested in U.S.

    Act 25 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  61. Act granting certain powers to the school directors of Nottingham township school district, Washington county

    Act 26 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  62. Relating to the selection of jurors in the county of Mifflin

    Act 27 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  63. To excuse the volunteer corps of Union Fencibles from parading for inspection on September 30, 1844

    Act 28 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  64. Relating to the estate of Mary Painter, late of the county of Philadelphia, deceased

    Act 29 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  65. To enable the executors of Andrew M'Cauley, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate

    Act 30 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  66. Authorizing the governor to incorporate the Perkiomen and Sumneytown turnpike road company

    Act 31 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  67. Act to authorize the president, managers, and company, of the Susquehanna and Lehigh turnpike road to extend the same, and to construct a branch therefrom - repeal - extend their main from its present termination near the mouth of Nesquehoning, through

    Act 32 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  68. Providing for ascertaining and marking the lines or boundaries between Northumberland and Columbia counties

    Act 33 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  69. Act concerning executions - repeal

    Act 34 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  70. To authorize the canal commissioners to purchase an additional number of trucks for the main line of the public improvements

    Act 35 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  71. Authorizing the citizens of Tulpehocken, Upper Tulpehocken, and Marion townships, in Berks county, to vote at the next constables' election for or against a new township out of parts of said townships

    Act 36 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  72. Regulating election districts

    Act 37 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  73. Several acts incorporating the borough of Pottsville - amend - election of the borough and township officers

    Act 38 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  74. To change the names of Jonathan, Benjamin Franklin, Mary Ann, Elizabeth Hannah, and Emma Nichols, to Jonathan, Benjamin Franklin, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Hannah, and Emma Jackson, and to confer upon them respectively all the rights and privileges of childre

    Act 39 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  75. Relative to public roads in certain counties therein named

    Act 40 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  76. To authorize the governor to incorporate the Bethlehem water company

    Act 41 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  77. To incorporate the Ephrata Monument association of the county of Lancaster

    Act 42 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  78. Concerning the removal of the seat of justice of the county of Columbia from Danville to Bloomsburg

    Act 43 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  79. To confirm the title of a certain lot of ground situate in the district of Southwark, in the county of Philadelphia

    Act 44 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  80. Act to incorporate the Spring Garden gas company - amend - subscriptions

    Act 45 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  81. Act to incorporate the Reliance insurance and trust company of Philadelphia - amend - certificates; contracts; dividend; election; estates

    Act 46 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  82. Act to incorporate the Delaware insurance company of Philadelphia - amend - capital stock; new certificates; name; powers; officers; votes; elections; estimate of profits

    Act 47 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  83. Act concerning the trust estate of Hugh Roberts, deceased, and for other purposes - amend - fines and forfeitures

    Act 48 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  84. Respecting the appointment of auditors in the courts of the city and county of Philadelphia

    Act 49 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  85. Authorizing Andrew M. Jones and Henry Bonsall, trustees, to sell certain real estate

    Act 50 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  86. Authorizing the commissioners of Schuylkill county, to sell and convey a piece of ground in the borough of Pottsville

    Act 51 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  87. Act to provide for the election of aldermen and justices of the peace - amend - provisions extended to aldermen and justices; jurisdiction of justices extended; evidence of demand

    Act 52 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  88. Act incorporating the trustees of the Western theological seminary of the Presbyterian church of the United States of America, at the city of Allegheny, in the state of Pennsylvania - amend - trustees may transfer property

    Act 53 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  89. To authorize payment for the translation of legislative documents

    Act 54 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  90. Relative to certain turnpike and state roads

    Act 55 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  91. Extending the limits of the borough of Berlin, in Somerset county

    Act 56 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  92. Relating to the support and employment of the poor in Northampton county

    Act 57 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  93. Relating to the estate of Lydia Hayley, deceased

    Act 58 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  94. To reduce the expenses in Berks and Washington counties

    Act 59 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  95. Act relating to roads, highways and bridges in the counties of Warren, Venango, and M'Kean, and for other purposes - amend - not to except the county of Warren

    Act 60 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  96. Authorizing the commissioners of M'Kean county to appropriate a sum of money for the purposes of making a certain road

    Act 61 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  97. Act to incorporate the American Insurance company of Philadelphia - amend - dividends; sale of stocks; approval of stockholders

    Act 62 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  98. To incorporate the Presbyterian congregation of Middle Smithfield township, in the county of Monroe

    Act 63 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  99. Authorizing William Mills to collect outstanding taxes in the borough of Chambersburg

    Act 64 of 1845 · 1845 · Original text

  100. Act relative to certain parts of the estate of Elizabeth Powel, deceased - amend - John Hare Powel authorized to sell real estate; extinguishment; trustees' bond

    Act 65 of 1845 · 1845 · 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.