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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

5,365 laws of the 1870s

Constitution of 1838

  1. To repeal parts of an act, entitled " An Act to open parts of Columbia avenue and Bedford street, in the city of Philadelphia," which became a law the fourteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty

    Act 964 of 1870 · P.L. 1044 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  2. To repeal an act providing for a police force in the villages of Petroleum Centre and Rouseville, Venango county, appproved April eighth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, as far as relates to the village of Petroleum Centre.

    Act 965 of 1870 · P.L. 1044 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  3. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Schuylkill River Passenger Railway Company, approved April sixteen, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 966 of 1870 · P.L. 1045 · 1870 · Scanned page

  4. To enable the city of Chester to provide a proper supply of gas.

    Act 968 of 1870 · P.L. 1047 · 1870 · Scanned page

  5. Relating to a certain street in the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 969 of 1870 · P.L. 1048 · 1870 · Scanned page

  6. To incorporate the Germania Savings Bank of Pittsburg.

    Act 970 of 1870 · P.L. 1049 · April 8, 1870 · Scanned page

  7. To incorporate the Pennsylvania Insurance Company of Pottsville.

    Act 971 of 1870 · P.L. 1051 · April 8, 1870 · Scanned page

  8. To increase the salary of the clerk to the county commissioners in and for the county of Allegheny.

    Act 972 of 1870 · P.L. 1052 · April 8, 1870 · Scanned page

  9. Incorporating the Wilsonville and Salem Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 973 of 1870 · P.L. 1053 · April 8, 1870 · Scanned page

  10. To authorize the Auditor General to settle and adjust the claim of Benjamin P. Thompson, late second lieutenant company A. Fiftyfirst regiment. Penns3'lvania volunteers.

    Act 974 of 1870 · P.L. 1054 · April 8, 1870 · Scanned page

  11. To the acts incorporating the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 975 of 1870 · P.L. 1055 · April 8, 1870 · Scanned page

  12. To incorporate the Central Improvement Company.

    Act 976 of 1870 · P.L. 1056 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  13. Supplement To an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the City Sewage Utilization Company," approved May third, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 977 of 1870 · P.L. 1056 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  14. Supplement to an act. entitled '-An Act to incorporate the Honey Brook Coal Company," approved twenty-third day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixtyfour.

    Act 978 of 1870 · P.L. 1058 · March 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  15. To incorporate the Western Water Power Company,

    Act 979 of 1870 · P.L. 1060 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  16. To incorporate the Occidental Improvement Company,

    Act 980 of 1870 · P.L. 1061 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  17. To incorporate the New Mexico Improvement Company.

    Act 981 of 1870 · P.L. 1062 · 1870 · Scanned page

  18. To repeal an act, entitled "An Act to change the venue of certain suits from Dauphin to Lancaster county," approved August t^nth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and also the supplement thereto, April third. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 982 of 1870 · P.L. 1063 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  19. Relative to the Beaver and Mercer state road, in Beaver county.

    Act 983 of 1870 · P.L. 1064 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  20. Relative to vagrancy and other offences in the county of Lebanon.

    Act 985 of 1870 · P.L. 1065 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  21. To incorporate the Scranton Ice Company.

    Act 986 of 1870 · P.L. 1066 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  22. Supplement to an act providing for the taking of game.

    Act 987 of 1870 · P.L. 1067 · 1870 · Scanned page

  23. To punish the sale and traffic in mineral water bottles and other bottles, and for the protection of bottlers and venders of mineral water and other beverages in this commonwealth.

    Act 988 of 1870 · P.L. 1068 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  24. To empower the court of quarter sessions of the peace of the county of Lycoming to appoint auditors to re-settle and audit the bounty accounts of Mifflin township, in said county.

    Act 989 of 1870 · P.L. 1069 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  25. Relating to roads and bridges in tie counties of M'Kean, Bedford, Venango.

    Act 990 of 1870 · P.L. 1070 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  26. Appointing commissioners to layout a state road from the village of Shoustowu, in Allegheny county, to Bock's old mill, in Beaver county.

    Act 991 of 1870 · P.L. 1082 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  27. Supplement to an act to incorporate the city of Philadelahia, relative to incompatibility of members of council to office.

    Act 992 of 1870 · P.L. 1083 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  28. To erect an independent school district from a part of Morris township, in the county of Huntingdon, and Catharine township, in the county of Blair.

    Act 993 of 1870 · P.L. 1084 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  29. Authorizing the macadamizing of Nicetown lane, in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 997 of 1870 · P.L. 1095 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  30. Relative to the trust estate of Kreilerica Misca, authorizing the sale of a portion thereof.

    Act 998 of 1870 · P.L. 1096 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  31. To authorize the Auditor General, State Tre: surer and Adjutant General t<> settle and adjust the chum of Washington Reifsnyder, for services reifdered the state in August, oiuthousand eight hundred and sixty-two. in enforcing the draft in Schuylkill county.

    Act 999 of 1870 · P.L. 1098 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  32. Supplement to an act authorizing the court of quarter sessions of M'Kean county to appoint commissioners to take exclusive charge of a portion of the road leading from Smethport, in M'Kean county, to Wilcox, in Elk county, and to appropriate taxes for the repair and changing the same, approved the twelfth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 1001 of 1870 · P.L. 1101 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  33. Regulating the granting of licenses in the county of

    Act 1002 of 1870 · P.L. 1101 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  34. Appointing commissioneis to lay out a state road from Emlenton, Venango county, to Shippenville, Clarion county.

    Act 1003 of 1870 · P.L. 1102 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  35. To enable the East End Gas Company, in the city of Pittsburg, to issue bonds to be secured by mortgage.

    Act 1004 of 1870 · P.L. 1104 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  36. To establish a ferrv over the Allegheny river, at or near Sarah furnace.

    Act 1005 of 1870 · P.L. 1105 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  37. To repeal an act relative to fishing with seines or nets in the East Conococheague creek, in the county of Franklin, and Little Muddy creek, in the county of Lancaster, so far as the same relates to Franklin county.

    Act 1006 of 1870 · P.L. 1106 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  38. Granting a gratuity and annuity to Michael Swisher, of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, a soldh-r of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

    Act 1007 of 1870 · P.L. 1107 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  39. Authorizing taxes on dogs in the county of Armstrong to be applied to school purposes.

    Act 1008 of 1870 · P.L. 1107 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  40. To repeal an act, entitled "A further supplement to an act, entitled 'An Act to provide for the erection of a house of employment and support of the poor in the county of Westmoreland," " approved the thirteenth day of April. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.

    Act 1009 of 1870 · P.L. 1108 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  41. To prevent the sale of cider in less quantities than five gallons in the borough of Beaver, Beaver county.

    Act 1010 of 1870 · P.L. 1109 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  42. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Philadelphia Fountain Societj'.

    Act 1011 of 1870 · P.L. 1109 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  43. Supplement To an act incorporating the borough of White Haven, in Luzerne county.

    Act 1012 of 1870 · P.L. 1110 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  44. For the repeal of so much of the fifth section of an act relative to the city of Pittsburg, passed the thirteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, as relates to the time of making the annual appropriations.

    Act 1013 of 1870 · P.L. 1111 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  45. To extend the provisions of an act to increase the pay of road and, bridge viewers and surveyors in the county of Susquehanna, approved April tenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, to the county of Northampton.

    Act 1014 of 1870 · P.L. 1112 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  46. Authorizing the town council of the borough of Hazleton to build drains and sewers, and to file liens for the building of the same.

    Act 1015 of 1870 · P.L. 1112 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  47. To repeal certain aets relative to the holding of elections in the county of Erie,

    Act 1016 of 1870 · P.L. 1113 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  48. For the division of the borough of Hazleton into two wards.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1114 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  49. To prohibit the issuing of licenses to sell spirituous, vinous, malt or brewed liquors in the borough of Braddock, borough of Sewickly, townships of Wilkins, Versailles, Penn, North Fayette, South Fayette, Sewickly, Leet and Kilbuck, in the county of Allegheny.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1116 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  50. Concerning road taxes in the township of Plymouth. Luzerne county.

    Act 1019 of 1870 · P.L. 1117 · April 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  51. To confer additional powers on the borongh of Plymouth, Luzerne county.

    Act 1020 of 1870 · P.L. 1117 · April 12, 1870 · Scanned page

  52. Regulating the election of the town council and school directors of the borough of Plymouth, county of Luzerne.

    Act 1021 of 1870 · P.L. 1119 · 1870 · Scanned page

  53. Supplement Burgess and council may t.ako possession •f springs, &c. May take pos= session of property upon tendering bonds to vt ■.il.'illl ». Owners of buildings liable for water rut> --. Rates to.be liens To an act. entitled " An Act providing for the introduction of water into the borough of Lebanon," approved the fifteenth da}' of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine. Section 1.

    Act 1022 of 1870 · P.L. 1120 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  54. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act for the regulation and government of the Lehigh county prison," approved the sixth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-niue.

    Act 1023 of 1870 · P.L. 1121 · April 9, 1870 · Scanned page

  55. To allow the qualified electors of Bedford county to vote for or against the sale of the present poor house property, and to authorize t lie appointment, by the court of common pleas, of commissioners to sell all the real estate known as the poor house property, to purchase other real estate, and erect suitable buildings for th*» sheltering and maintenance of the poor.

    Act 1024 of 1870 · P.L. 1122 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  56. Authorizing the school directors of Armstrong township, Lycoming county, to borrow money.

    Act 1025 of 1870 · P.L. 1124 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  57. For the protection of farmers and land owners in the townships of Maiden Creek and Qntelawnee, in Berks county.

    Act 1026 of 1870 · P.L. 1125 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  58. Supplement To an act to incorporate the Lorberry Creek Railroad Company, approved March thirtieth, one thousand eight hundred and thirtyone.

    Act 1027 of 1870 · P.L. 1126 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  59. Fixing the compensation of the supervisors of the township of Hanover and the North and South districts of Wilkesbarre township, Luzerne county.

    Act 1028 of 1870 · P.L. 1127 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  60. To repeal the third section of an act approved the tenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, relating to expenses of making and repairing roads in Conyngham township, Columbia county.

    Act 1029 of 1870 · P.L. 1128 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  61. To amend the act, entitled "An Act authorizing the Wilmington and Western Railroad Company to connect their railroad with the Delaware and Pennsylvania railroad, in this commonwealth.

    Act 1030 of 1870 · P.L. 1128 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  62. Relating to district teachers' institutes in Westmoreland county.

    Act 1032 of 1870 · P.L. 1130 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  63. To authorize the burgess and town council of the borough of Beaver Falls, in the county of Beaver, to establish such rates of license as they may deem proper, on all carts, drays, wagons and other vehicles passing in or through said borough, and to provide for the collection of the rates so ordained by them from all persons, firms or corporations, not exempt by this act, that may use the streets in the said borough.

    Act 1033 of 1870 · P.L. 1130 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  64. For the incorporation of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars of the state of Pennsylvania.

    Act 1034 of 1870 · P.L. 1131 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  65. To authorize an increase of taxes in the borough of Emporium, in the county of Cameron.

    Act 1036 of 1870 · P.L. 1133 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  66. To authorize and require the school directors of Turbet township, Northumberland county, to levy and collect an additional amount of tax.

    Act 1038 of 1870 · P.L. 1135 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  67. To authorize the school directors of Warren borough, Warren county, to borrow money and assess additional school tax.

    Act 1039 of 1870 · P.L. 1135 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  68. To repeal a portion of the second section of an act. entitled -'An A«t to change the time of holding the borough and township elections in the county of Lebanon, and Moon and Finley townships, Allegheny county," so far as the same refers to Lebanon borough.

    Act 1040 of 1870 · P.L. 1136 · 1870 · Scanned page

  69. To authorize the trustees, elders and deacons of the German Reformed congregation, in the city of Reading, to mortgage real estate.

    Act 1041 of 1870 · P.L. 1137 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  70. To prevent horses, cattle, mules, sheep or swine from running at large in Turbet township, in the county of Northumberland.

    Act 1042 of 1870 · P.L. 1137 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  71. To incorporate a public feny across the Youghioghcny river, near M'Keesport, Allegheny county.

    Act 1043 of 1870 · P.L. 1138 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  72. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act for the sale of certain islands in the river Susquehanna.

    Act 1044 of 1870 · P.L. 1139 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  73. Repealing the act. entitled •' An Act relative to the assessment of taxes in the township of Thornbury," approved the twenty-ninth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and Guvy nine.

    Act 1045 of 1870 · P.L. 1140 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  74. Appropriating certain taxes for opening and constructing a road in Cummings township, Lycoming county.

    Act 1047 of 1870 · P.L. 1142 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  75. Authorizing the commissioners of Snyder county to cause a public bridge to be erected over Mahontongo creek, in said county.

    Act 1048 of 1870 · P.L. 1143 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  76. Relative to the appointment of notaries public in the county of Clarion.

    Act 1049 of 1870 · P.L. 1144 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  77. Relative to fence viewers in the borough of Doylestown, Bucks county.

    Act 1050 of 1870 · P.L. 1145 · 1870 · Scanned page

  78. To authorize the school directors of Halifax township, Dauphin county, to borrow money for the erection and repair of school houses in said township.

    Act 1051 of 1870 · P.L. 1145 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  79. To incorporate the Bucks County Mutual Insurance Company.

    Act 10 of 1870 · P.L. 1146 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  80. To authorize the erection of a poor house in tte county of Venango.

    Act 1053 of 1870 · P.L. 1147 · April 13, 1870 · Scanned page

  81. Supplement To repeal a supplement to an act, approved the twentieth day of May. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, entitled "An Act enabling the stockholders of any turnpike road company to vote one vote for each share.

    Act 1055 of 1870 · P.L. 1152 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  82. Supplement to an act appointing commissioners to lay otit & state roar"^ from Kelley's station, on the West Pennsylvania railroad, in Xnclian* county, to a point on the New Alexandria and Conemr Mf.f-^ turn. pike road, near the house of Jacob O. Alter, in W' ^stmor-eland county, approved April thirteenth, Anno Domini ' jue thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, providing for asses ^j^e^ Qf damages.

    Act 1051 of 1870 · P.L. 1153 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  83. To increase the pay of supervisors in the township of Washington, Lycoming county.

    Act 1056 of 1870 · P.L. 1153 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  84. Supplement To an act in relation to grading, paving and macadamizing, et cetera, streets in the borough of M Keesport, passed April third, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 1058 of 1870 · P.L. 1154 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  85. Ito repeal so much of the act of the eighteenth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and twenty-four, as declares that part of Fishing creek, running or passing through the township of Lamar, county of Clinton, a public highway.

    Act 1059 of 1870 · P.L. 1155 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  86. Making Georgetown borough, in the county of Beaver, a separate election district.

    Act 1061 of 1870 · P.L. 1157 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  87. To authorize the commissioners of Lancaster county to appropriate moneys to the Home for Friendless Children.

    Act 1062 of 1870 · P.L. 1157 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  88. To regulate the compensation of auditors appointed by the orphans' court, court of common pleas and district court of the city and count}' of Philadelphia.

    Act 1063 of 1870 · P.L. 1158 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  89. Supplementary to the act, entitled '■ An Act providing for the construction of a side-walk in the North district of Wilkesbarre township, in Luzerne county," approved February tenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 1064 of 1870 · P.L. 1158 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  90. Supplement to an act relative to the Loyalhanna Plank Road Company, and other purposes, approved October twenty-eighth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.

    Act 1065 of 1870 · P.L. 1159 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  91. Supplement To an act to incorporate the Clarion County Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

    Act 1066 of 1870 · P.L. 1160 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  92. Supplement to an act to incorporate Swarthmore college, authorizing an increase of capital stock.

    Act 1067 of 1870 · P.L. 1161 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  93. To repeal certain parts of an act exempting West-town school property, in the county of Chester, from taxation for county and school purposes.

    Act 1009 of 1870 · P.L. 1162 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  94. Supplement to an act, entitled,; An Act to incorporate the Emaus Iron Company," approved the eleventh day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 1068 of 1870 · P.L. 1162 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  95. To authorize the building of a macadamized road between the bridge of the Mattawana Bridge Company, in Mifflin county, and at the east end thereof.

    Act 1070 of 1870 · P.L. 1163 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  96. To incorporate the Erie Printing House Company.

    Act 1071 of 1870 · P.L. 1164 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  97. Empowering the school board of the Seventh ward, Allegheny city, to levy a tax to pay indebtedness to Reserve township school board.

    Act 1072 of 1870 · P.L. 1165 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  98. Supplement To an act to incorporate the City Mutual Life and Health Insurance t Company of Lehigh county, approved the thirteenth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1166 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  99. Creating two additional notaries public for the county of Allegheny.

    Act 1073 of 1870 · P.L. 1166 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  100. To incorporate Thiel college of the Evangelical Lutheran church.

    Act 1015 of 1870 · P.L. 1167 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

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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.