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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. To incorporate the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Smithfield township, Bradford county

    Act 200 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  2. Incorporating the First Presbyterian Church and Congregation in Mount Joy, Lancaster county, and for other purposes

    Act 201 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  3. To incorporate the French Creek Bridge Company

    Act 202 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  4. To incorporate the president and managers of the Armstrong, Jefferson and Clearfield Turnpike Road Company

    Act 203 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  5. To extend the Charter of Lebanon Bank

    Act 204 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  6. To annul the marriage contract of Jacob Thayer, and Purnel Thayer

    Act 205 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  7. To incorporate the village of Lock-Haven, in the county of Clinton, into a borough

    Act 206 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  8. Act to enable the Governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road, beginning at the intersection of Vine and Tenth streets, Philadelphia, and thence to Perkiomen Bridge, in the county of Montgomery - amend - erect toll houses; deposite and

    Act 207 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  9. To authorize the trustees of the Central Savings Association of Philadelphia, to sell and convey certain real estate, and for other purposes

    Act 208 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  10. To incorporate the Luzerne county Mutual Insurance Company, and for other purposes

    Act 209 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  11. To erect the town of South Easton, in the county of Northampton, into a borough, and for other purposes

    Act 210 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  12. Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Mill Creek and Mine Hill Navigation and Rail Road Company - amend - time for completion extended

    Act 211 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

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

    Act 212 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  14. Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate a company to erect a bridge over the Monongahela river, at the borough of Birmingham, in the country of Allegheny, with power to construct a turnpike road from the south end of Denman street, in said borough,

    Act 213 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  15. To incorporate the Bradford Rail Road and Coal Company

    Act 214 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  16. To incorporate the Franklin Cemetery Company in the township of the Northern Liberties, county of Philadelphia, and for other purposes

    Act 215 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  17. To incorporate the Middlefield Coal Company

    Act 216 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  18. Relating to the evidence of the publication of Ordinances of the borough of Carlisle and Meadville, and for the other purposes

    Act 217 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  19. To incorporate the town of Zelienople, in the county of Butler, into a borough

    Act 218 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  20. To incorporate the Northern Liberties Hose Company of the county of Philadelphia, and for other purposes

    Act 219 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  21. To incorporate the Susquehanna Coal Company

    Act 220 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  22. To incorporate the society known by the name of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the town of Danville, Columbia county, and for other purposes

    Act 221 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  23. To incorporate "The Pine Creek Coal Company"

    Act 222 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  24. For the incorporation of the Brighton Institute of Classical, Mathematical and Natural Science, at New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania

    Act 223 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  25. To extend the charter of the Philadelphia Ice Company

    Act 224 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  26. Acts concerning Writs, of Partition - amend - how sued

    Act 225 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  27. To incorporate the Williamsport Bridge Company, in the county of Lycoming, and for other purposes

    Act 226 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  28. To incorporate the Trustees and Stockholders of Clinton Academy, in the township of Pine Creek, in the county of Clinton

    Act 227 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  29. Act incorporating the Raush Creek Rail Road Company - amend - time of commencement and completion extended; additional commissioners; increase capital stock; borrow money

    Act 228 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  30. To incorporate the Saint Patrick's Beneficial Society of Port Carbon, in the county of Schuylkill, and for other purposes

    Act 229 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  31. To incorporate the Williamsport Mutual Insurance Company, in the county of Lycoming

    Act 230 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  32. To incorporate the Stockholders of Mineral Spring, of Berks County

    Act 231 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  33. To create additional revenue to be applied towards the payment of interest and the extinguishment of the debts of the commonwealth

    Act 232 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  34. To incorporate the Victor Fire Engine Company, in Sheaffertown, Lebanon county

    Act 233 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  35. To authorize the Governor to incorporate the Great Island Bridge company

    Act 234 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  36. To incorporate the Town of Schuylkill Haven, in the county of Schuylkill, into a borough

    Act 235 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  37. To incorporate the President and Managers of the Rimersburg and Mahoning Turnpike Road Company

    Act 236 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  38. To equalize the Rates of Toll and Transportation on the York and Maryland Line, and Baltimore and Susquehanna Rail Roads

    Act 237 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  39. Incorporating the Youghiogheny Insurance Company, at West Newton, in the county of Westmoreland

    Act 238 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  40. Relative to certain taxes in the counties of Centre, Lycoming and Clinton, and for other purposes

    Act 239 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  41. To incorporate the members of the Tamaqua Union Church and School House, of the county of Schuylkill

    Act 240 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  42. Extending the charter of the York county Manufacturing Company

    Act 241 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  43. To provide for continuing the improvements of the State, and for the payment of the interest on the public debt

    Act 242 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  44. To incorporate a Female Seminary, in Landisburg, Perry county, and for other purposes

    Act 243 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  45. For the relief of Samuel McCall and others, soldiers and widows of soldiers of the revolutionary war

    Act 244 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  46. To incorporate the town of Harmony, in the county of Butler, into a borough

    Act 245 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  47. To incorporate the New Brighton Female Seminary, in the county of Beaver

    Act 246 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  48. To incorporate an Academy at Clarion, in Clarion county

    Act 247 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  49. To incorporate St Peters' Church, in the borough of Uniontown, Fayette county

    Act 248 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  50. To incorporate the Lutheran and German Reformed Church, at Wellersburg, in Somerset county

    Act 249 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  51. To create a new division, to be called the seventeenth division of the Pennsylvania Militia

    Act 250 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  52. Regulating Election Districts, and for other purposes

    Act 251 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  53. To promote the culture and manufacture of Silk, and for other purposes

    Act 252 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  54. To incorporate a company in the borough of New Castle, to be called the New Castle Fire company, in the county of Mercer, and for other purposes

    Act 253 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  55. To authorize the Lewisburg and Jersey Shore Turnpike Road and Bridge Company, to erect gates and receive tolls, and for other purposes

    Act 254 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  56. Authorizing the building of a Lock-up House, in the borough of Hamburg, in the county of Berks, and for other purposes

    Act 255 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  57. Act relating to the elections of this Commonwealth - amend - duties of inspectors, judges, constables, supervisors, commissioners, and assessors; special elections; Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal church of Manyunk of Philadelphia county incorporated; trus

    Act 256 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  58. Act providing for the election of Aldermen and Justices of the Peace - amend - elections; commissions to take effect; no state tax on commissions; arbitration and executions extended

    Act 257 of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  59. Resolution authorizing the payment of the claim of Samuel R. Richards

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  60. Resolution extending the time for the settlement of the accounts of commissioners for improving the State Road, in Wayne county, from Caukin's to the Delaware river

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  61. Resolution relative to the Election in the City of Lancaster

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  62. Resolution requiring the settlement of the accounts of the Paymaster General of the Volunteers, in the service of the commonwealth, in December, 1838

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  63. Resolution relative to the State Library

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  64. Resolution relative to the Election in the Borough of West Greenville

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  65. Resolution authorizing the appointment of a Manager, on the part of the State, in the Johnstown and Ligonier Turnpike Road Company

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  66. Resolution for the relief of the representatives of the late James S. Stevenson

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  67. Resolution granting aid to the Doylestown and Willow Grove Turnpike road company

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  68. Resolution erecting the borough of Middleton, in the county of Dauphin, into a separate election district, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  69. Resolution for the relief of Bernard Connelly

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  70. Resolution relative to the Election of Borough Officers in the boroughs of Harrisburg and Carlisle

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  71. Resolution for the relief of George Mason

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  72. Resolution relative to the West Philadelphia Railroad Company

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  73. Resolution providing for the resumption of specie payments by the banks, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  74. Resolution legalizing certain Elections held in Tioga County

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  75. Resolution providing payment for Judge Advocates of Courts Martial, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  76. Resolution authorizing the payment of the claims of Jackson M'Fadden, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  77. Resolution authorizing the Commissioners of the county of Clinton to borrow a sum of money, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  78. Resolution relative to certain undrawn balances in the School Fund

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  79. Resolution relative to contingent expenses in Land Office

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  80. Resolution making an appropriation to erect a bridge over the West Branch of the Susquehanna, at Karthaus

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  81. Resolution authorizing Rebecca H. Duncan, Thomas Duncan, and Benjamin S. Duncan, to pass the bridge at Duncans Island, free of toll, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  82. Resolution relative to the Public Buildings and Public Grounds

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  83. Resolution to authorize the Directors of the Poor and of the House of Employment of the county of Northampton, to sell and convey real estate and administer oaths, and to authorize the School Directors of the

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  84. Resolution to provide for the expenses of Government

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  85. Resolution authorizing the payment of the claim of Reuben Winslow, of Chester county

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  86. Resolution for the relief of Okey Hendrickson, attorney in fact for George M'Dowell, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  87. Resolution relative to the Common Schools in the city of Lancaster, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  88. Resolution relating to the Philadelphia Silk Culture and Manufacturing Company, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  89. Resolution relative to James Lyon, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  90. Resolution relative to certain officers in Potter county, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  91. Resolution relative to the Birmingham and Elizabeth Turnpike road, and for other purposes

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  92. Resolution to enable the Arbon Coal Company to borrow money

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  93. Resolution relative to the payment of the Troops called to Harrisburg in December, 1838

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  94. Resolution relative to the claim of Amos Addis

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  95. Resolution relative to the Whites Haven and Clifton Turnpike Road company

    Resolution of 1840 · 1840 · Original text

  96. Erecting a new Township in Clinton county, to be called Crawford, and erecting the same into a separate election district

    Act 1 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text

  97. Relative to Aldermen and Justices of the Peace

    Act 2 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text

  98. To authorize a Loan

    Act 3 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text

  99. Relating to the Estates of Frederick Holman and Charles Wharton

    Act 4 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text

  100. To incorporate the Philadelphia and Havre-de-Grace Steam Tow Boat

    Act 5 of 1841 · 1841 · 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.