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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

7,883 laws of the 1860s

Constitution of 1838

  1. To extend the provisions of the seventeenth section of an act, approved March eleventh, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, relative to Elections and Election Districts, to Washington county.

    Act 441 of 1861 · P.L. 474 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  2. To incorporate the Pawners' Loan Association of Philadelphia.

    Act 442 of 1861 · P.L. 474 · 1861 · Scanned page

  3. Supplement to an act to perfect the Charter of the Samaritan Beneficial Society of the city and county of Philadelphia.

    Act 443 of 1861 · P.L. 476 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  4. Relating to Roads in Bratton townsliip, Mifflin county.

    Act 444 of 1861 · P.L. 477 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  5. For the Sale of certain Real Estate of the two Congregations of the United Protestant German Reformed congregations of Franconia, Montgomerycounty, and township of Bedminster and Rockhill, Bucks county.

    Act 445 of 1861 · P.L. 477 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  6. To protect Fruit, et cetera, aud punish Trespass in certain counties.

    Act 446 of 1861 · P.L. 478 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  7. In relation to the Claim of Bell, Johnston, Jack & Co.

    Act 447 of 1861 · P.L. 479 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  8. Foi the relief of the Securities of F. Knox Morton, late Treasurer of the county of Philadelphia.

    Act 448 of 1861 · P.L. 480 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  9. For the Relief of Lewis S.

    Act 449 of 1861 · P.L. 480 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  10. To incorporate the Schuylkill ^avy Association of the city of Philadelphia,

    Act 450 of 1861 · P.L. 481 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  11. To incorporate the Plicenis Hotel Company of Wilkesbarre.

    Act of 1861 · P.L. 482 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  12. Supplementary to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Towanda Gas and \yater Company," passed the thirteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fi fty-nine.

    Act of 1861 · P.L. 484 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  13. Supplementarj to an act, entitled <<Ad Act to incorporate the Towsnda Gas and Water Company," passed the thirteenth day of April^ one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.

    Act 452 of 1861 · P.L. 484 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  14. To incorporate the Fairview Cemetery Association of Kutztown, Berks county.

    Act of 1861 · P.L. 485 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  15. Supplement to an act in reference to running of Locomotive Engines and Cars on Connecting Railroads, approved thirteenth March, one thousand eighi hundred and forty-sevea.

    Act 453 of 1861 · P.L. 485 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  16. To iacocporate the Fairview Cemetery Association of Kntztown, Berks conntj. Whkbbas, Certain citizens of this commonwealth, some of Preamble, whom are hereafter named, have associated together for the pur- 486 LAWS OF PENNSTYLVANIA, Corponton. Style. PriTileget. ProTiao. pose of establishing a cemetery in the township of fif azatawny, near the borough of Kutztown, in the county of Berks, as

    Act 454 of 1861 · P.L. 485 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  17. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act relative to Bridges in Lancaster county," approved the twenty-seventh day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.

    Act 456 of 1861 · P.L. 488 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  18. To authorize the Guardian of the Minor Children of James A. Benade, deceased, to sell certain Bank Stock, and to authorize the Trustee of Real Estate belonging to said Minors, to mortgage the same.

    Act 457 of 1861 · P.L. 489 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  19. Authorizing the Executor of William Santee to Sell certain Real Estate.

    Act 458 of 1861 · P.L. 490 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  20. For the Relief of Mary Ann Lambert, Caroline Lambert, Robert Mellin, A. B. Johnston, John Dilworth and Charles Dilworth.

    Act 459 of 1861 · P.L. 491 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  21. Relative to the Election of Officers of the Ltncsster Goimty Prison, sod of the Poor and House of Employment.

    Act 460 of 1861 · P.L. 492 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  22. Relative to Plank Roads iu Crawford county.

    Act 461 of 1861 · P.L. 493 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  23. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act authorizing President Judges to hold Courts out of their several Districts in certain cases," approved the second day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty.

    Act 462 of 1861 · P.L. 494 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  24. Supplement to an act relating to Inspections, passed the fifteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and tliirty-tive.

    Act 463 of 1861 · P.L. 495 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  25. To incorporate the Factoryville and Abington Turnpilie and Plank Road Company.

    Act 464 of 1861 · P.L. 495 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  26. Supplement to the act incorporating tlie Allentown "Water Companyj and its several supplements.

    Act 465 of 1861 · P.L. 496 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  27. Supplement to an act to Consolidate and Amend the Road Laws of Tioga, Potter, M'Kean and Elk counties, passed April fourteenth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.;

    Act 466 of 1861 · P.L. 497 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  28. To authorize Charles Bower and James N. Vanzand to Sell certain Real Estate.

    Act 467 of 1861 · P.L. 498 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  29. To annex a part of the township of Norwegian, in the county of Schuylkill, to the borough of Pottsville, and to establish a new ward io said borough.

    Act 468 of 1861 · P.L. 499 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  30. To repeal the second section of an act, entitled «An Act increasing the width of Diamond alley and extending Union street, in the citj of Pittsburg," approved the sixteenth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.

    Act 470 of 1861 · P.L. 501 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  31. Relative to the Pay of Jurors in Centre and Clinton counties.

    Act 471 of 1861 · P.L. 502 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  32. Supplement to an act relating to the Selling of the Repairing of the Public Roads in certain townships in Schuylkill county.

    Act 472 of 1861 · P.L. 503 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  33. Supplement to an act to establish a system of Free Banking in Pennsylvania, and to secure the public against loss from Insolvent Banks, approved March 31,

    Act 473 of 1861 · P.L. 503 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  34. To authorize the Tnutees of Union Seminary, New Berlin, Union county, to borrow money.

    Act 474 of 1861 · P.L. 517 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  35. To abolish the Fcrkiomen Independent School District, of Montgomery county.

    Act 475 of 1861 · P.L. 517 · April 18, 1861 · Scanned page

  36. Supplement to an act incorporating the Westminster Collegiate Institute, approved the twenty-seventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

    Act 476 of 1861 · P.L. 518 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  37. To establish the Union School District of Chester and Delaware counties.

    Act 477 of 1861 · P.L. 518 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  38. To repeal the act relating to Auctioneers in the city of Erie, approred the thirtieth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.

    Act 478 of 1861 · P.L. 520 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  39. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Mifflin and Centre County Railroad Company.

    Act 479 of 1861 · P.L. 520 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  40. Relating to Reference and Arbitration in the city and county of Phii idelphia.

    Act 480 of 1861 · P.L. 521 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  41. To legalize the Security of Supervisors of Roads, and Overseers of the JPoor, in the county of Lycomiug.

    Act 481 of 1861 · P.L. 521 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  42. Authorizing the County Surveyor of the county of Somerset to Transcribe the Official Record of the Drafts of all Surveys in said county.

    Act 482 of 1861 · P.L. 522 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  43. To erect the borough of Tioga, in the county of Tioga, into a separata # School District.

    Act 484 of 1861 · P.L. 523 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  44. Relative to the Somerset School District.

    Act 485 of 1861 · P.L. 524 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  45. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Tuscarora Female Institute, approved twelfth March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty.

    Act of 1861 · P.L. 525 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  46. Aotborixing an Independent School District out of parts of Union and Snyder counties.

    Act 487 of 1861 · P.L. 525 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  47. Supplement to the act incorporating the Philadelphia Steam Propeller Company.

    Act 488 of 1861 · P.L. 526 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  48. To enable the Court of Common Pleas of Juniata county to open a certain Account.

    Act 489 of 1861 · P.L. 527 · 1861 · Scanned page

  49. authorize the Burgess and Town Council of the borough of Beaver, in the county of Beaver, to Lease a certain Lot or Piece of Ground for the purpose of Boring for Oil, &c.

    Act 490 of 1861 · P.L. 527 · 1861 · Scanned page

  50. Granting farther Powers to the Inspectors of the Philadelphia County Prison. Sectioiy 1.

    Act 491 of 1861 · P.L. 528 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  51. Supplement to an act supplementary to the acts relating to Hawkers and Pedlers, and regulating Auctions in the county of Schuylliill.

    Act 492 of 1861 · P.L. 529 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  52. Supplementary to an act incorporating the Pittsburg and Steubenyill® Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 493 of 1861 · P.L. 530 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  53. To incorporate the Saint Mary's Beneficial Society of Philadelphia,

    Act 495 of 1861 · P.L. 532 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  54. To incorporate the Washington Library Company.

    Act 496 of 1861 · P.L. 533 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  55. Supplement to the act to incorporate the Manheim, Petersburg and Lancaster Turnpike or Plank Road Company, approved the ninth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and fifty.

    Act 497 of 1861 · P.L. 534 · 1861 · Scanned page

  56. To regulate Appeals from the Judgment of Aldermen in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 498 of 1861 · P.L. 535 · 1861 · Scanned page

  57. To lay out a State Road from Butler, Butler county, to Franklin, Venango county.

    Act 499 of 1861 · P.L. 536 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  58. Relative to Lunatics in the county of Wyoming.

    Act 500 of 1861 · P.L. 537 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  59. Relative to the Assessment anrl Collection of Taxes on Unseated Lands in Overton township, in Bradford county.

    Act of 1861 · P.L. 538 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  60. Annexing the county of Clearfield tothe Eastern District of the SnpreoM Conrt.

    Act 502 of 1861 · P.L. 538 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  61. Relative to the Franklin Eailroad Company.

    Act 503 of 1861 · P.L. 539 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  62. Relative to the Erection of New Townships.

    Act 504 of 1861 · P.L. 539 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  63. For the Relief of the Estate of H. L. Brown, deceased, of the city of Erie.

    Act 505 of 1861 · P.L. 540 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  64. To lay out a State Road ia the counties of Lebanon and Berks.

    Act 506 of 1861 · P.L. 541 · 1861 · Scanned page

  65. To lay out a State Road in Venango, Butler and Armstrong counties.

    Act 507 of 1861 · P.L. 542 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  66. To Alter, Renew and Extend tin; Charter of tlio Tradesmen's Saving Fund and Loan Association of I'iiiladelpliia.

    Act 508 of 1861 · P.L. 543 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  67. Supplement to an act, entitled "A.n Act to authoriEe the Committee of Michael Fox, a Lunatic, to Sell and Convey Real Estate, and for other pnrposes," approved April sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.

    Act 509 of 1861 · P.L. 547 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  68. To authorize tbe Appointment of a Notary Public in Erie countj.

    Act 510 of 1861 · P.L. 548 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  69. To provide for the Erection of a Lock-up House in the borough of White Haven.

    Act 511 of 1861 · P.L. 548 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  70. Supplement to an act relating to the Lien of Mechanics, and othera, upon Buildings, approved the sixteenth day of June, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, so fai as relates to certain counties.

    Act 512 of 1861 · P.L. 550 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  71. For the Protection of Deer in the counties of Cumberland, Franklin and Adams. VVheeeas, By the passage of an act of March twenty-fourth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, and of April tenth, one thousaed eight hundred and fifty-one, the hunting and killing of deer was prohibited in the counties of Cumberland, Franklin and Adams, for the period of five years, from August first,

    Act 513 of 1861 · P.L. 550 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  72. To establish a Ferry over the Allegheny river, in the county of Warren.

    Act 514 of 1861 · P.L. 552 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  73. To protect the Wages of Labor iu the county of Berks.

    Act 516 of 1861 · P.L. 553 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  74. To provide for the Erection of a House for the Employment and Support of the Poor for the county of Bradford.

    Act 517 of 1861 · P.L. 555 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  75. Supplementary to an act to incorporate the borough of New Columbus, in the county of Luzerne, approved the eleventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.

    Act of 1861 · P.L. 560 · 1861 · Scanned page

  76. Relative to the office of Coroner of Northampton county.

    Act 518 of 1861 · P.L. 560 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  77. Supplementary to an act to incoTporate the borough of New ColoBibot, in the couDtj of Liizeme, approved the eleventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.

    Act 519 of 1861 · P.L. 560 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  78. In relation to the Rates and Levies of Taxes in the county of Washington'.

    Act of 1861 · P.L. 562 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  79. Supplement to an act, entitled << An Act Incorporating the Freedom and Sarah Pur nace Plank Road Company; relating to the Mountain Female Seminaiy, in Huntingdon," approved April fifteentby one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.

    Act 520 of 1861 · P.L. 562 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  80. In relation to the Rates and Levies of Taxes in the county of Waahington.

    Act 521 of 1861 · P.L. 562 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  81. To Prevent the Destruction of Fish in Indian creek, in the county of Fayette.

    Act 522 of 1861 · P.L. 563 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  82. Supplement to an act approved April eighteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, entitled " An Act relating to Fees of Aldermen, Justices of the Peace and Constables.

    Act 523 of 1861 · P.L. 563 · 1861 · Scanned page

  83. To the Charter of the Bethlehem Eolling Mills and Iron Company.

    Act 524 of 1861 · P.L. 564 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  84. To tho act to incorporate the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 525 of 1861 · P.L. 565 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  85. To authorize the Section of a Poor House h\ the borough of ITazleton, township of Hazle and township of Foster, in the county of Luzerne.

    Act 526 of 1861 · P.L. 565 · 1861 · Scanned page

  86. To change the boundaries of the borough of Stewartstown, York county.

    Act 527 of 1861 · P.L. 566 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  87. To incorporate the Kersey Oil and Mineral Company.

    Act 529 of 1861 · P.L. 572 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  88. To change the place of holding the Elections in the township of Chillisquaque, in the county of Northumberland, and the time of holding the Election of Township OtScers in Le Boeuff, in the county of Erie.

    Act 531 of 1861 · P.L. 574 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  89. For the more convenient despatch of Public Business in ^the Courts of

    Act 531 of 1861 · P.L. 578 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  90. dative to the Claim of James Dignaa), of Allegheny county.

    Act 533 of 1861 · P.L. 578 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  91. To Extend the Time, for the Payment of the Eatolment Tax on certain sets

    Act 538 of 1861 · P.L. 578 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  92. Appointing Commissioners to repair and keep in order the East and West State Road of M'Kean county.

    Act 537 of 1861 · P.L. 581 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  93. Relative to the School District in the borough of Franklin, in Venango county.

    Act 539 of 1861 · P.L. 583 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  94. To coHflrm the title of George C. Barl)er, and those claiming under hiiUj to certain lands.

    Act 540 of 1861 · P.L. 584 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  95. Fw laying oat a State Road through parts of Carbon, Schoylklll inS Userne coantiea.

    Act 545 of 1861 · P.L. 584 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  96. Changing the Place of Holding Elections in the township of Texas, in the I county of Wayne.

    Act 541 of 1861 · P.L. 585 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  97. To tbe charter of incorporation of the ti

    Act 567 of 1861 · P.L. 585 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  98. Relating to Streets in the village of Highspire, io the county of Dauphin.

    Act 542 of 1861 · P.L. 586 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  99. Appropriating part of Moneys arising from Fines and for Forfeitures in Schuylkill county.

    Act 543 of 1861 · P.L. 586 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

  100. To lay out a State Road in Columbia and Lycoming counties.

    Act of 1861 · P.L. 587 · May 1, 1861 · Scanned page

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.