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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 incorporate the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Reading.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1169 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  2. For the protection of farmers and land owners, and the prevention of the destruction of fences and crops by horses, cattle, sheep or swine in the townships of Penn, Maxatawny and Richmond, in the count}' of Berks.

    Act 1077 of 1870 · P.L. 1170 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  3. To tho act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Scranton and Olyphant Boulevard Company." approved the eighteenth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 1078 of 1870 · P.L. 1171 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  4. Supplement To the act approved April thirteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixtj'-nine, entitled "An Act to authorize the burgess and council of the borough of Warren to convey certain real estate.

    Act 1079 of 1870 · P.L. 1172 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  5. Supplement to an act to provide for the appointment of a fire marshal for the county of Allegheny.

    Act 1081 of 1870 · P.L. 1173 · 1870 · Scanned page

  6. Supplement to an act incorporating the Elk Hill Coal Company.

    Act 1082 of 1870 · P.L. 1175 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  7. To prevent fishing in Silver lake, Choconut lake and Wyalusing lake, in the county of Susquehanna.

    Act 1083 of 1870 · P.L. 1176 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  8. To protect butter and cheese manufacturers in Erie, Crawford and M'Kean counties.

    Act 1084 of 1870 · P.L. 1176 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  9. Relative to elections in the borough of Milton.

    Act 1085 of 1870 · P.L. 1177 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  10. Relating to elections in the borough of Sunbury.

    Act 1086 of 1870 · P.L. 1178 · April 14, 1870 · Scanned page

  11. To the acts concerning streets and sewers in the city of Pittsburg.

    Act 1083 of 1870 · P.L. 1179 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  12. To authorize the more prompt collection of taxes in the county of Adams.

    Act 1087 of 1870 · P.L. 1179 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  13. To declare Fish creek, in Greene county, a public highway and navigable in freshets.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1180 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  14. Supplement To an act to incorporate the American News Association, approved the thirty-first March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 1090 of 1870 · P.L. 1181 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  15. To confer additional privileges on the Forest Hill Cemetery association of Scranton. Property to be exempt from taxation. Lots. Opening of streets, Ac. Force and effect of recorded certificates of ownership of lots. Force and effect of assignments of certificates. Force and effect of exemplifications from record. Penalty for carrying lire-arms within grounds.

    Act 1001 of 1870 · P.L. 1182 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  16. To incorporate the Greene County Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 1092 of 1870 · P.L. 1183 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  17. Supplement to an act to authorize the commissioners of Luzerne county to build a new county jail, and perform other acts.

    Act 1093 of 1870 · P.L. 1185 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  18. To authorize the Widow and Orphan Fund Life Insurance Company of Nashville, Tennessee, to establish a branch office or offices in this commonwealth.

    Act 1094 of 1870 · P.L. 1186 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  19. To authorize the Pittsburg. Virginia and Charleston Railway Company to apply any moneys in the treasury of the said company to such improvements as will facilitate the construction of said road, and to make the same.

    Act 1095 of 1870 · P.L. 1187 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  20. Authorizing Charles G. Murphy to act as justice of the peace in the township of Conyugham, Columbia county, while residing outside the limits of said township.

    Act 1096 of 1870 · P.L. 1188 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  21. Supplementary to an act authorizing the school directors of the borough of Waynesboro'. Franklin county, to borrow money for school purposes, approved the second day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 1097 of 1870 · P.L. 1188 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  22. Authorizing the school directors of Plymouth borough to borrow money for the erection of two school buildings for public school.

    Act 1098 of 1870 · P.L. 1189 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  23. Authorizing the school directors of Highland and Lincoln school subdistricts, in the city of Pittsburg, to settle the indebtedness of the independent school district of Collins township, Allegheny county, and to borrow money to pay the same.

    Act 1099 of 1870 · P.L. 1190 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  24. Supplement To an act to authorize the erection of a poor house by the borough of Danville and Mahoning township, in the county of Montour, approved the eighth May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 1100 of 1870 · P.L. 1190 · 1870 · Scanned page

  25. For the better prosecution of disorderly persons in the borough of Elizabeth, county of Allegheny.

    Act 1101 of 1870 · P.L. 1191 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  26. To authorize the burge.s and town council of the borough of Elizabeth, in the county of Allegheny, to erect a lock-up house in Said borough.

    Act 1102 of 1870 · P.L. 1192 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  27. To fix the time for holding the several courts in Clearfield county.

    Act 1103 of 1870 · P.L. 1193 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  28. For the relief of Levi Brown.

    Act 1104 of 1870 · P.L. 1194 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  29. To incorporate the Dallas and Kingston Turnpike Road Company.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1198 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  30. Providing the manner in which county bridges shall be built by the county of Luzerne.

    Act 1107 of 1870 · P.L. 1199 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  31. Relating to the preservation of trout in the counties of Potter, Lycoming, Tioga. Clinton and

    Act 1108 of 1870 · P.L. 1201 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  32. To tax unseated lands in Kingsley, Tionesta and Hickory townships, in Forest county.

    Act 1109 of 1870 · P.L. 1202 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  33. In reference to bridges in the county of Clearfield.

    Act 1110 of 1870 · P.L. 1204 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  34. Supplement to an act of April ninth, one thousand eight hundred and forty-four, relative to the poor of the city of Allegheny.

    Act 1112 of 1870 · P.L. 1205 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  35. Supplement To an act, entitled "An Act appointing commissioners to lay out ami open a state road in the counties of Potter and Clinton,'' approved the sixteenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

    Act 1113 of 1870 · P.L. 1206 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  36. To author izo the commissioners of Delaware county to borrow money. fr

    Act 1114 of 1870 · P.L. 1207 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  37. To incorporate the Hamilton Land and Improvement Company.

    Act 1116 of 1870 · P.L. 1208 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  38. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Fidelity. Insurance, Trust and Safe Deposit Company of the city of Philadelphia, passed the twenty -second day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixtysix, making certain new provisions in regard to the officers and directors thereof.

    Act 1117 of 1870 · P.L. 1210 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  39. Supplement to an act appointing commissioners to lay out a state road from Kane to Campbell's Mills, in M'Kean county, approved April seventeenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 1118 of 1870 · P.L. 1210 · 1870 · Scanned page

  40. Authorizing the appointment of three additional notaries public for the county of Allegheny.

    Act 1119 of 1870 · P.L. 1211 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  41. To authorize the burgess and councilmen of the borough of Waynesburg, in Greene county, to levy a tax.

    Act 1120 of 1870 · P.L. 1212 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  42. To incorporate tne National Co-operative Relief Association of Pennsylvania.

    Act 1121 of 1870 · P.L. 1212 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  43. Relating to the fees of the district attorney for Delaware county.

    Act 1122 of 1870 · P.L. 1214 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  44. Supplement to an act relative to the purchase of a law library in the comity of Allegheny, approved the fifteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, amending the second section thereof.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1215 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  45. To incorporate the Lock Haven Gas Company.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1215 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  46. Relating to the compensation of county commissioners, auditors and township auditors.

    Act 1126 of 1870 · P.L. 1217 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  47. Declaring Trout run, in the county of Lycoming, a public highway.

    Act 1127 of 1870 · P.L. 1218 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  48. Enlarging the powers of the board of controllers of the Allegheny city school district, in Allegheny county.

    Act 1128 of 1870 · P.L. 1219 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  49. To incorporate the Moshannon Turnpike and Plank Road Company.

    Act 1129 of 1870 · P.L. 1219 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  50. Kepealing a supplement to an act approved May fourth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, for the organization, discipline and regulation of the militia, so far as applies to the county of Dauphin.

    Act 1130 of 1870 · P.L. 1222 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  51. To authorize the orphans' court of Westmoreland county so to modify the order of sale of the real estate of Hon. J. M. Burrell, deceased, as to allow the trustees to lay it out in town lots, and sell the same at either public or private sale.

    Act 1131 of 1870 · P.L. 1222 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  52. Regulating the election of burgess and town council of the borough of West Newton, fixing their' terms of office and increasing their powers.

    Act 1132 of 1870 · P.L. 1224 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  53. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the trustees of the borough of Pittston. Luzerne county," approved the twelfth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty.

    Act 1133 of 1870 · P.L. 1226 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  54. To incorporate the Southern Improvement Company.

    Act 1134 of 1870 · P.L. 1227 · April 16, 1870 · Scanned page

  55. To incorporate the St. Vincent College, in the township of Unity, in the county of Westmoreland.

    Act 1135 of 1870 · P.L. 1227 · April 18, 1870 · Scanned page

  56. To fix monthly return days in the courts of Clearfield, Perry and Centre counties.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1231 · April 18, 1870 · Scanned page

  57. To authorize the Erie County Agricultural Society to sell its lands.

    Act 1138 of 1870 · P.L. 1232 · April 18, 1870 · Scanned page

  58. Authorizing the commissioners of Cameron county to borrow money for the payment of its overdue bonds.

    Act 1139 of 1870 · P.L. 1233 · April 18, 1870 · Scanned page

  59. Supplement to an act to extend the provisions of an act. entitled " An Act in relation to huckstering in the counties of Bedford, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton and York," approved the eighteenth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six. to the counties of Perry and Juniata.

    Act 1140 of 1870 · P.L. 1233 · April 18, 1870 · Scanned page

  60. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act relating to Allegheny county," approved the first day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty

    Act 1141 of 1870 · P.L. 1234 · April 18, 1870 · Scanned page

  61. To incorporate the Erie Fire and Marine Insurance Company.

    Act 1142 of 1870 · P.L. 1235 · April 18, 1870 · Scanned page

  62. To issue bonds. Authorizing the town council of the borough of West Pittston, in the county of Luzerne. Pennsylvania, to issue bonds.

    Act 1143 of 1870 · P.L. 1238 · April 18, 1870 · Scanned page

  63. Supplementary to the act, entitled "An Act to alter an act for erecting the town of Easton, in the county of Northampton, into a borough, and for other purposes therein mentioned.

    Act 1144 of 1870 · P.L. 1239 · April 18, 1870 · Scanned page

  64. Appointing commissioners to survey and locate a public road or avenue in Wilkesbarre township, Luzerne county.

    Act 1145 of 1870 · P.L. 1239 · April 18, 1870 · Scanned page

  65. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to authorize the appointment of an auctioneer in the borough of Pittston, in Luzerne county," approved the ninteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 1146 of 1870 · P.L. 1241 · April 21, 1870 · Scanned page

  66. Appointing commissioners to lay out and open a state road from the borough of Wellsboro' to Marsh creek, by way of J. M. Bodine's, in the county of Tioga.

    Act 1147 of 1870 · P.L. 1242 · April 21, 1870 · Scanned page

  67. Authorizing the submitting of the question of purchasing certain bridges across the West Branch of the Susquehanna river, in tte county of Lycoming, to the qualified voters of said comity, and to locate and provide for the construction and erection of the Mosquito Valley bridge across said river.

    Act 1148 of 1870 · P.L. 1244 · 1870 · Scanned page

  68. To the charter of the city of Reading, relating to the division of the same into election precincts. uppkmmt

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1246 · April 21, 1870 · Scanned page

  69. To incorporate the Duquesne Savings Bank of Pittsburg.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1248 · April 21, 1870 · Scanned page

  70. To incorporate the Doylestown Improvement Company.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1250 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  71. For the relief of James O'Halloran and Charles O'Brien, of the county of Allegheny.

    Act 1152 of 1870 · P.L. 1251 · 1870 · Scanned page

  72. Eelative to the fees of the mayor, aldermen, constables and police constables of the city of Harrisburg.

    Act 1153 of 1870 · P.L. 1253 · April 21, 1870 · Scanned page

  73. Supplement to an act. entitled " An Act to incorporate the Corn Exchange of Philadelphia," approved twenty-second January, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, confirming the by-laws adopted by the said corporation, now known by the name of the Commercial Exchange of Philadelphia.

    Act 1154 of 1870 · P.L. 1253 · April 21, 1870 · Scanned page

  74. Supplement to an act. entitled -'An Act to establish criminal courts for Dauphin and Schuylkill counties,'* passed the eighteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven. Preamble

    Act 1155 of 1870 · P.L. 1254 · April 21, 1870 · Scanned page

  75. For the regulation and ventilation of coal mines in Mercer county.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1256 · April 22, 1870 · Scanned page

  76. To divide the borough of liellefonte into three wards.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1258 · 1870 · Scanned page

  77. To incorporate the Pickwick Glee of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1260 · April 23, 1870 · Scanned page

  78. Supplement To the act, entitled "An Act to authorize the Governor to appoint an inspector of refined petroleum, kerosene and burning oils, in and for the county of Lancaster," approved March twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty -nine, limiting inspection and compensation.

    Act 1160 of 1870 · P.L. 1261 · April 23, 1870 · Scanned page

  79. To authorize the Old Columbia Public Ground Company to borrow money and issue bonds. Section 1. 7-V it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the Old Columbia Public Ground Company, of the borough of Columbia, shall have power to borrow money, not exceeding

    Act 1161 of 1870 · P.L. 1262 · April 26, 1870 · Scanned page

  80. To incorporate the Kensington Screw Dock Warehouse and Wharf Company of Philadelphia.

    Act 1163 of 1870 · P.L. 1265 · 1870 · Scanned page

  81. To incorporate the Shrews bur y Railway Company.

    Act 1164 of 1870 · P.L. 1267 · April 26, 1870 · Scanned page

  82. Relative to the election of supervisors in the township of Salem, in the county of Westmoreland.

    Act 1165 of 1870 · P.L. 1268 · April 26, 1870 · Scanned page

  83. Providing for the election of supervisors in Upper Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, and for the erection of a board of supervisors of highways in said township, and limiting the assessment of taxes for road purposes.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1270 · April 26, 1870 · Scanned page

  84. To authorize the school directors of Washington school district of Pittsburg to levy a tax.

    Act 1168 of 1870 · P.L. 1272 · April 26, 1870 · Scanned page

  85. Disparting the lands of Peter Lauker, in Armstrong county, from the independent school district, comprised of portions of Clarion county and the lands of said Peter Lauker, in Armstrong county, and annexing the same, for educational purposes, to the school district next to and adjoining that portion of said independent school district now being in the said county of Armstrong.

    Act 1169 of 1870 · P.L. 1273 · April 26, 1870 · Scanned page

  86. Further supplementary to an act regulating railroad companies, approved the nineteenth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.

    Act 1170 of 1870 · P.L. 1274 · April 26, 1870 · Scanned page

  87. To vacate a part of Woodpecker or Rising San lane, in the Twentyeighth ward of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 1171 of 1870 · P.L. 1274 · April 26, 1870 · Scanned page

  88. Relative to the opening of a part of Butler street, in the Twenty-fifth ward of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 1172 of 1870 · P.L. 1275 · April 26, 1870 · Scanned page

  89. To incorporate the Mutual Protection Life Insurance Company of Philadelphia.

    Act 1173 of 1870 · P.L. 1276 · April 26, 1870 · Scanned page

  90. Relating to the West Philadelphia Passenger Railway Company, requiring the use of suitable frogs on the crossings of said company.

    Act 1174 of 1870 · P.L. 1278 · April 26, 1870 · Scanned page

  91. Relative to county printing in Clinton county.

    Act 1175 of 1870 · P.L. 1279 · April 27, 1870 · Scanned page

  92. To incorporate the New Hope of Pineville Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 1177 of 1870 · P.L. 1280 · April 27, 1870 · Scanned page

  93. Authorizing the burgess and council of the borough of Sunbury, in Northumberland county, to open and extend Second street and Fourth street, in said borough.

    Act 1178 of 1870 · P.L. 1283 · April 27, 1870 · Scanned page

  94. For the relief of Captain John Moore, Jr., late of the Elderton Guards.

    Act 1179 of 1870 · P.L. 1284 · April 27, 1870 · Scanned page

  95. Authorizing the township auditors of Beaver township, Snyder county, to pay off the bounty debt of said township, and to levy and collect an additional tax.

    Act 1180 of 1870 · P.L. 1285 · April 27, 1870 · Scanned page

  96. To confirm a certain conveyance of twenty acres of land to the directors of the poor of Crawford county, and by them to Frederick Shattuck.

    Act 1181 of 1870 · P.L. 1286 · April 27, 1870 · Scanned page

  97. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act relating to bounties in the township of Lower Windsor, York county.

    Act 1183 of 1870 · P.L. 1288 · April 28, 1870 · Scanned page

  98. Supplement To an act passed May sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, entitled "An Act to authorize the erection of a free bridge over the river Schuylkill, at South street, in the city of Philadelphia," reducing the number of commissioners, and authorizing the taking of land for site of the bridge.

    Act 1184 of 1870 · P.L. 1289 · April 28, 1870 · Scanned page

  99. Supplement to the act to incorporate the city of Philadelphia, relating to the appropriations by the councils for school purposes.

    Act 1186 of 1870 · P.L. 1290 · April 28, 1870 · Scanned page

  100. Definingthe line of Chestnut street, in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 1187 of 1870 · P.L. 1291 · April 28, 1870 · Scanned page

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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.