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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 of thanks to Major General Zachary Taylor, and the American army

    Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · Original text

  2. Resolution relative to the account of Reuben Strouss

    Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · Original text

  3. Resolution for the allotment of the public printing and binding

    Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · Original text

  4. Resolution relative to the acquisition of new territory

    Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · Original text

  5. Resolution to extend the time for commencing operation on the Fishing creek, Swatara, and Schuylkill railroad

    Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · Original text

  6. Resolution in reference to the construction of a dry dock at the navy station at Philadelphia

    Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · Original text

  7. Resolution relative to damages on the Conneaut line of the Erie extension of the Pennsylvania canal

    Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · Original text

  8. Resolution to compensate W.C. Chapman for services rendered in the state library

    Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · Original text

  9. Resolution relative to Berlin borough school district, Somerset county, and Antrim school district, Franklin county

    Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · Original text

  10. Resolution relative to the construction of certain acts of incorporation

    Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · Original text

  11. Resolution relative to the payment of the traveling expenses of the joint committee appointed to attend the funeral of Lieut. Woods

    Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · Original text

  12. Resolution authorized to loan to Rufus L. Barnes and William E. Morris, the plates of the state map now in the Bank of Pennsylvania for the purpose of correcting the said plates

    Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · Original text

  13. Resolution relative to the appointment of appraisers of mercantile taxes

    Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · Original text

  14. Act regulating lateral railroads - amend - extended to Dauphin, Allegheny, Bedford, Blair and Washington counties; rights extended to owners of coal and iron mines in Denison township, Luzerne county

    Act 1 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  15. Authorizing the directors of the common schools in Abington district, Montgomery county, to hold an election to raise an additional tax, and the directors of Upper Dublin township to pay their teachers

    Act 2 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  16. Providing for extraordinary repairs on the public works

    Act 3 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  17. Fixing the place for holding the elections in the borough of Towanda, Bradford county, and in the townships of Mead and Pittsfield, in Warren county

    Act 5 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  18. To confirm the title of a lot of ground in the city of Philadelphia

    Act 6 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  19. To extend the time of holding the March term of the several courts for Beaver county, and to change the time of holding the courts in Greene county

    Act 7 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  20. Confirming the title to certain real estate late of Doctor John Jones, deceased

    Act 8 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  21. To authorize Yeamens M. Gillingham, Howard Williams and Charles Williams, administrators of the estate of Samuel Williams, deceased, to mortgage, or sell and convey certain real estate

    Act 9 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  22. Confirming the election of a justice of the peace in Allegheny county

    Act 10 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  23. Regulating election districts

    Act 11 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  24. Vesting the fee simple of a certain street in Hartford, Crawford county, in James Wright

    Act 12 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  25. To authorize Hugh De Haven to sell certain real estate

    Act 13 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  26. To provide for the payment of the interest on the public debt of this Commonwealth, falling due on the first days of February and August of the present year

    Act 14 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  27. Authorizing the field officers of the first brigade, ninth division, Pennsylvania militia, to hold courts of appeal in certain cases

    Act 15 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  28. To authorize the auditor general to open and re-settle the accounts of Amherst Carpenter, brigade inspector

    Act 16 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  29. To authorize the clerk of the orphans' court of York county, to execute a deed for real estate of Philip Gardner, deceased, to John G. Campbell

    Act 17 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  30. Act relating to last wills and testaments - amend - last will and testament heretofore made, or hereafter to be made valid

    Act 18 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  31. To authorize the trustees of the Second Baptist church and congregation of Philadelphia, to sell and convey certain real estate

    Act 19 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  32. Acts relative to the Pittsburg and Butler turnpike road company - amend - managers reinstated

    Act 20 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  33. Act for establishing a health office, and to secure the city and port of Philadelphia from the introduction of pestilential and contagious diseases, and for other purposes - amend - powers and duties extended; privy wells; licenses; real estate; members t

    Act 21 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  34. Relative to the trust estate of Susannah Stewart

    Act 22 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  35. Act laying a tax on dogs in the borough of West Chester, and certain townships in the county of Chester, and for other purposes - amend - tax levied on dogs to be collected by collector of state and county taxes

    Act 23 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  36. Declaring the West Branch of Clarion river, in the county of Elk, a public highway

    Act 24 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  37. For the relief of certain devisees under the will of George Pepper, deceased

    Act 25 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  38. Relative to the estate of Thomas B. Coleman, deceased

    Act 26 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  39. To alter the times for holding the criminal court in the city and county of Philadelphia, and for regulating the proceedings of said court, and for other purposes

    Act 27 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  40. To enable the executors and administrators of decedents to perfect title to real estate in certain cases

    Act 28 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  41. To provide for extraordinary repairs upon the canals and railroads of this commonwealth, and to place the same in order for navigation and transportation

    Act 29 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  42. Authorizing the auditor general to open and re-settle the accounts of William Harris, late treasurer of Centre county

    Act 30 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  43. Relative to the coroners of Berks and Lancaster counties

    Act 31 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  44. To incorporate the Reading gas company

    Act 32 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  45. To incorporate the village of Coudersport into a borough

    Act 33 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  46. Act authorizing the incorporation of the Monongahela navigation company - amend - new subscriptions; additional dams; enact rules; tolls to form a separate fund

    Act 34 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  47. To incorporate the Washington hall association of the borough and county of York

    Act 35 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  48. Authorizing the commissioners of Greene county to appropriate money to a certain road

    Act 36 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  49. For the relief of Joseph Plankinton

    Act 37 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  50. To authorize the auditor general to settle the claim of William Byers, of Mercer county

    Act 38 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  51. Act authorizing the construction of an outlet lock on the Delaware division of the Pennsylvania canal - repeal - erection of dams in the Delaware river

    Act 39 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  52. Relative to the roads in Middletown township, Delaware county

    Act 40 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  53. To authorize the canal commissioners to examine the claim of Randal Evans, for damages sustained by fire on the Columbia railroad

    Act 41 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  54. Authorizing the canal commissioners to settle the claim of Dickey, Hawk and Marshall

    Act 42 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  55. Authorizing the state treasurer to negotiate a temporary loan

    Act 43 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  56. Act to create permanently the office of state printer - amend - number of bills to be printed; compensation

    Act 44 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  57. Relative to roads in Pine Creek, Warsaw and Heath townships, in the county of Jefferson, and the township of Spring Creek, in the county of Elk

    Act 45 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  58. Act to incorporate the Carpenter Island meadow company - amend - number of managers; holding election; assessing the costs for construction of works

    Act 46 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  59. To authorize the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church in Washington, Washington county, to sell and convey certain real estate

    Act 47 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  60. To lay out and extend South Prince street, in the city of Lancaster

    Act 48 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  61. To authorize the canal commissioners to sell and convey certain real estate in Conemaugh township, Cambria county, to the trustees of the Roman Catholic church

    Act 49 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  62. Regulating election districts

    Act 50 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  63. Act to incorporate the Cumberland Valley railroad company - amend - increase capital; privileges of additional stockholders

    Act 51 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  64. To change the name of Joseph Parker to Joseph Parker Brolasky

    Act 52 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  65. In relation to the seat of justice of the county of Columbia

    Act 53 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  66. Regulating election districts

    Act 54 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  67. For the relief of Benjamin Maule

    Act 55 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  68. Act incorporating the Beaver Meadow railroad and coal company - amend - additional stock; tolls

    Act 56 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  69. To confirm the title of Peter Baldy to certain real estate

    Act 57 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  70. Act regulating to the borough of Hollidaysburg, in Blair county

    Act 58 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  71. Act to authorize the governor to incorporate a company to make a lock navigation on the Youghiogheny river - amend - additional powers; assessment of damages regulated

    Act 59 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  72. Authorizing the construction of a culvert or drain through the streets of Selinsgrove, in Union county

    Act 60 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  73. Act authorizing the governor to incorporate the Kittanning and Brady's Bend turnpike road company - amend - time extended

    Act 61 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  74. Act to authorize the governor to incorporate a company to make a turnpike road from the borough of Wilkesbarre, in Luzerne county, to the village of Hazleton - amend - time extended; tolls; when letters patent to be granted

    Act 62 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  75. Authorizing William Rabenald, administrator de bonis non of Michael Shaffer, deceased, to sell certain real estate

    Act 63 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  76. To change the name of Nathan Zachariah to Charles Johnson

    Act 64 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  77. To enable the trustees under the will of Elizabeth Finch to sell certain real estate

    Act 65 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  78. To authorize the surviving executors of Reuben Haines, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate

    Act 66 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  79. Act to authorize the commissioners of the incorporated districts of the county of Philadelphia, to construct works for supplying said districts with water from the Schuylkill river - amend - expenses for enlargement of works

    Act 67 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  80. To open an alley in the borough of Brookville, Jefferson county

    Act 68 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  81. Act to incorporate the district of Richmond, in the county of Philadelphia - amend - commissioners to lay a tax; defray expenses; York street declared to be a market place

    Act 69 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  82. To incorporate the Health Insurance company of Philadelphia

    Act 70 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  83. Act to authorize the governor to incorporate a company to erect a bridge over the Conemaugh, at or near Centerville, in the county of Indiana, and for other purposes - amend - time for opening books changed; commissioners appointed; capital stock reduced

    Act 71 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  84. To authorize Leander W. Blackly, to dispose of his estate by will

    Act 72 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  85. Authorizing the recording of certain powers by attorney executed by Andrew M. Eastwick and his wife

    Act 73 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  86. Act to authorize the governor to incorporate the Little Saw Mill Run turnpike road company, in Allegheny county - amend - time extended

    Act 74 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  87. To incorporate the Protestant Episcopal society, for the promotion of evangelical knowledge

    Act 75 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  88. Authorizing the guardian of the minor children of David Ferree, to execute a release

    Act 76 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  89. Authorizing the guardian of the minor children of Francis B. Durbin, deceased, to sell, or let on ground rent, certain parts of their real estate

    Act 77 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  90. Act to authorize suit to be brought on the official bond of William B. Mitchell, late superintendent - amend - alley in Pittsburg declared a public highway

    Act 78 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  91. Act authorizing the governor to incorporate the Freeport and Kittanning turnpike road company - amend - time extended

    Act 79 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  92. To incorporate the town of Saint Mary's, in the county of Elk, into a borough

    Act 80 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  93. To incorporate the Robert Morris fire hose company, in the city of Philadelphia

    Act 81 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  94. Authorizing James Morrell, of Philadelphia, to sell the interest of John Mifflin Butler, a minor, in certain ground rents

    Act 82 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  95. To confer on George Smith, junior, of Paradise township, York county, the rights and privileges of a child born in lawful wedlock

    Act 83 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  96. Act to lay out a state road from the borough of New Castle to the road leading from Edinburg to Mahoningtown, at a point where said road crosses the line between Beaver and Mercer counties, and for other purposes - amend - time for depositing drafts exten

    Act 84 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  97. Act to authorize certain proceedings in the court of common pleas of Philadelphia county, and the sale of certain real estate - amend - orphans' court of Philadelphia county to settle account of George Sharswood, administrator of Robert Thomas, deceased

    Act 85 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  98. To confirm the title to certain real estate, formerly of George Parker, of the county of Philadelphia, deceased

    Act 86 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  99. To prevent the hunting of deer, with dogs, in the counties of Elk and Monroe

    Act 87 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text

  100. Authorizing the court of quarter sessions of Allegheny county, to vacate a portion of Franklin street, in the city of Pittsburg, and for the opening of Corinthian avenue, in the county of Philadelphia

    Act 88 of 1848 · 1848 · 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.