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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. Relative to universities, colleges and academies, in the city and county of Philadelphia

    Act 299 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  2. Act relating to collateral inheritances - amend - duty of assessors

    Act 300 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  3. Authorizing the court of common pleas of Cumberland county, to appoint auditors to audit the accounts of the borough of Carlisle, and for other purposes

    Act 301 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  4. Act to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the river Susquehanna, at the town of Danville - amend - increase capital; borrow money

    Act 302 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  5. To authorize the auditor general to settle the accounts of Thomas B. Town, late paymaster general and disbursing officer of volunteers

    Act 303 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  6. To annul the marriage contract between Cornelius Hanes, and Sarah, his wife

    Act 304 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  7. Act relating to the prison of the county of Chester - amend - discharge of prisoners; compensation of inspectors

    Act 305 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  8. Penal laws of this commonwealth - amend - penalty for selling property entrusted for transportation

    Act 306 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  9. Regulating the appointment of road viewers in the county of Perry, and for other purposes

    Act 307 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  10. Acts relating to hawkers and pedlars - amend - regulating auctions in the county of Schuylkill

    Act 308 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  11. Authorizing the school directors of Mahoning township, in the county of Columbia, to sell certain real estate, and for other purposes

    Act 309 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  12. In relation to the duties of county auditors, in the county of Potter, and for other purposes

    Act 310 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  13. Authorizing the canal commissioners to examine the claim of J.M. Marshall

    Act 311 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  14. Authorizing the canal commissioners to settle the account of J. and D. Pattison

    Act 312 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  15. To authorize the commissioners of Lycoming county, to borrow money, and for other purposes

    Act 313 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  16. Act to incorporate the Upper Dublin, Lewisville, Whitehallville and Nazareth turnpike road company - amend - changing the name and title of said company to that of the Northern turnpike road company, and for other purposes

    Act 314 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  17. Relative to the assessment and collection of an additional school tax, in certain townships in the county of Chester, and for other purposes

    Act 315 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  18. To authorize a state road from a point on the Mount Pleasant and Clinton grade, in Allegheny county, to intersect the Pittsburg and Steubenville road, near Clark's mill, in Washington county, and for the review of a state road from Woodward's mill, in Arm

    Act 316 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  19. Authorizing the canal commissioners to repair a certain road in Standing Stone, Bradford county

    Act 317 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  20. To confirm the title of the devisees of the reverend Richard Peters, deceased, to certain real estate in the city of Philadelphia

    Act 318 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  21. Act creating a nisi prius court, in the county of Philadelphia - amend - September term abolished

    Act 319 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  22. Act to incorporate the Danville railroad company - amend - time for the commencement and completion of railroad extended

    Act 320 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  23. To legalize and confirm the title to a certain tract of land in Somerset county, and for other purposes

    Act 321 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  24. Act to provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor, in the county of Erie - amend - duty of magistrates in cases of deserted children, by their parent; warrant to be returned to court of quarter sessions

    Act 322 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  25. Relating to a certain suit, and a tax on writs of error

    Act 323 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  26. Relative to the claims of John Miller

    Act 324 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  27. To provide a more effectual and economical mode of collecting state and county taxes, in the county of Delaware

    Act 325 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  28. Act incorporating the Perkiomen and Sumneytown turnpike road company - amend - relative to opening roads

    Act 326 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  29. To incorporate the Trappe brass band, of Montgomery county

    Act 327 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  30. Act incorporating the Marietta, Bainbridge, Falmouth and Portsmouth road company - amend - time for completing railroad extended

    Act 328 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  31. To extend the time for commencing and completing the Hamburg and Allentown railroad

    Act 329 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  32. Act authorizing the governor to incorporate the Bear Mountain railroad company, and for other purposes - amend - time for completing extended

    Act 330 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  33. To extend the charter of the Western Bank of Philadelphia

    Act 331 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  34. Act incorporating the Union railroad and mining company - amend - time for completing extended; proceedings in case of delinquent stockholders

    Act 332 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  35. To annul the marriage contract between George Leidey, and Catharine Leidey, his wife

    Act 333 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  36. Authorizing Robert Stewart, executor of Edie Stewart, late of Huntingdon county, deceased, to convey certain real estate

    Act 334 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  37. To annul the marriage contract of John Feller and Elizabeth, his wife

    Act 335 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  38. To extend the charter of the Bank of Commerce

    Act 336 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  39. To incorporate the Odd Fellows' hall association

    Act 337 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  40. Act erecting Blair county - amend - first courts to be held; organization of courts; governor to appoint county commissioners

    Act 338 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  41. Relative to certain courts

    Act 339 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  42. General Appropriation Act of 1846

    Act 340 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  43. Fixing the construction of certain acts of assembly in relation to the rights of private property

    Act 341 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  44. To extend the time for completing the Bald Eagle and Spring Creek Navigation

    Act 342 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  45. Authorizing the construction of an out-let lock on the Delaware division of the Pennsylvania canal

    Act 343 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  46. Relative to lien creditors becoming purchasers at judicial sales, and for other purposes

    Act 344 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  47. Act to authorize the governor to incorporate a company to make a lock navigation on the Youghiogheny river - amend - time for commencement and completion extended

    Act 345 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  48. Law relating to defaulting public officers - amend - auditor general and state treasurer in certain cases to discontinue suits; official bonds mad valid; re-settle accounts of public officers

    Act 346 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  49. Act relating to roads, highways and bridges - amend - power of courts in regard to roads extended; Codorus navigation company authorized to extend their works; lateral railroads in Cambria county; power to open private roads in Tioga county

    Act 347 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  50. Relating to pawnbrokers in the township of Moyamensing, in the county of Philadelphia, and for other purposes

    Act 348 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  51. Relating to judgments in Clearfield, Jefferson, Crawford and M'Kean counties

    Act 349 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  52. Regulating election districts

    Act 350 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  53. Relating to equitable actions of ejectment to enforce the payment of purchase money

    Act 351 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  54. Empowering the court of quarter sessions of Mercer county, to incorporate the town of Leesburg, Mercer county

    Act 352 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  55. For the relief of John Taylor

    Act 353 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  56. In relation to partitions

    Act 354 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  57. For the relief of certain soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian wars

    Act 355 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  58. Relating to the borough of Columbia

    Act 356 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  59. To annul the marriage contract of Jacob Winchester and Martha R., his wife

    Act 357 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  60. Act relating to executions - amend - sheriff's return to an execution; orphan's court to issue writs for sale of real estate

    Act 358 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  61. To authorize the voters of Mifflin county to decide the question of tavern license therein, and to prohibit the sale of intoxicating drinks within specified limits in certain counties

    Act 359 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  62. In relation to certain public officers and their sureties

    Act 360 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  63. Relative to certain real estate

    Act 361 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  64. To incorporate the Germantown hall company, and for other purposes

    Act 362 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  65. Act to incorporate the Danville and Pottsville railroad company - amend - duty of sheriff; powers and privileges; elect a board of directors; increase capital

    Act 363 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  66. To authorize the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company to construct a railroad through Pennsylvania, in a direction from Baltimore to the Ohio river, at the city of Pittsburgh

    Act 364 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  67. To annul the marriage contract of Tobias Bilger and Caroline, his wife

    Act 365 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  68. To annul the marriage contract of William Dusenberry, and Mary, his wife

    Act 366 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  69. To authorize Robert Adams, committee of Henry Burnside, a lunatic, of Wolf Creek township, Mercer county, to contract with James Pond, of said county

    Act 367 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  70. For the relief of certain soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian wars

    Act 368 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  71. To prevent the destruction of fish in Yellow Breeches creek, in Cumberland county

    Act 369 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  72. To prevent the destruction of fish in Jacobs' creek, in Fayette and Westmoreland counties

    Act 370 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  73. Authorizing the canal commissioners to re-examine and settle the claim of John Stewart

    Act 371 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  74. To diminish the width of Susquehanna avenue, in the county of Philadelphia, and for other purposes

    Act 372 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  75. Taxing dogs in certain counties, and for other purposes

    Act 373 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  76. To provide for the erection of a poor house in the county of Mifflin, and for other purposes

    Act 374 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  77. Erecting the borough of Ebensburg, and part of Cambria township, in Cambria county, into a separate school district

    Act 375 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  78. Act for the relief of the Cumberland Valley railroad company - amend - borrow money; loanholders entitled to all the privileges of stockholders

    Act 376 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  79. Act authorizing the secretary of the commonwealth to distribute copies of the standard of weights and measures, and for the appointment of sealers - amend - penalty for altering adjusted weights and measures; forfeitures; fees of scalers in Allegheny co.

    Act 377 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  80. Providing for the expenses of roads and poor, in Pitt township, in the county of Allegheny

    Act 378 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  81. Relative to the estate of George Frey, deceased

    Act 379 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  82. To authorize Milton Smith to convey the interest in certain real estate of Amelia C. Smith, and others, minors, and for other purposes

    Act 380 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  83. In regard to certain entries in ledgers in the city of Pittsburg, and relating to the publishing of sheriffs' sales, and for other purposes

    Act 381 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  84. Fixing the time for the adoption and publication of tolls on public works

    Act 382 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  85. To enable the St. John's orphan asylum, to hold real estate

    Act 383 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  86. To annul the marriage contract of George Y. Meek and Mary, his wife

    Act 384 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  87. Act authorizing the governor to incorporate the Washington and Pittsburg railroad company - amend - commissioners; reservation

    Act 385 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  88. To annul the marriage contract between Andrew Ney and Elizabeth, his wife

    Act 386 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  89. To annul the marriage contract of Nicholas Carpenter and Harriet, his wife

    Act 387 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  90. Relative to the appointment of trustees by orphans' court, and for other purposes

    Act 388 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  91. To legalize the acts of the justices of the peace, and other township officers of Coryden township, M'Kean, now Warren county, and for other purposes

    Act 389 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  92. To provide for the reduction of the public debt

    Act 390 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  93. To provide for the payment of certain claims upon the commonwealth

    Act 391 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  94. To authorize the construction of an embankment for the protection of the borough of Sunbury, and for other purposes

    Act 392 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  95. Concerning certain records of the supreme court, and certain real estate

    Act 393 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  96. Changing the name of Mary Schaper, to that of Mary Simmons

    Act 394 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  97. To annul the marriage contract between Nelly West and Henry West, her husband

    Act 395 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  98. To incorporate the Newportville horse company of Bucks county, for the detection of horse thieves and other robbers, and the recovery of stolen property

    Act 396 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  99. To incorporate the Meadville theological school

    Act 397 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text

  100. To incorporate the Durham vigilant society for apprehending horse thieves and other villains, in the county of Bucks

    Act 398 of 1846 · 1846 · 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.