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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 an act relative to the taking of game, approved the ninth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and seventy, so far as the same relates to the county of Fayette.

    Act 152 of 1871 · P.L. 151 · March 1, 1871 · Scanned page

  2. Regulating the rate per cent, of borough tax in the borough of Franklin, in the county of Cambria.

    Act 153 of 1871 · P.L. 151 · March 1, 1871 · Scanned page

  3. Regulating the rate per centum of borough tax in the borough of East Conemaugh, in the county of Cambria.

    Act 154 of 1871 · P.L. 152 · March 1, 1871 · Scanned page

  4. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act relative to roads in Darlington township, in the county of Beaver," approved March the third. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy, and the supplement, approved March the third, Anno Domiui one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 155 of 1871 · P.L. 152 · March 1, 1871 · Scanned page

  5. Regulating the collection of dog tax in the county of Luzerne.

    Act 156 of 1871 · P.L. 153 · March 1, 1871 · Scanned page

  6. To incorporate the Mill Grove and West Newton Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 157 of 1871 · P.L. 154 · March 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  7. Supplementary to an act, entitled " An Act to incorporate a company to erect a bridge over the Ohio river, from West Pittsburg and Teinperauceville, at or near the mouth of Saw Mill run, Allegheny county, to the city of Allegheny," approved the eighth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, and to revive and re-enact the same, and to revive and extend the time

    Act 158 of 1871 · P.L. 155 · March 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  8. Supplement to an act to regulate medical practice in the counties of York, Indiana, Perry, Juniata, Adatns, Bucks, Northanipton. Lehigh and Elk, extending the same to the county of Cumberland. Sectiox 1.

    Act 159 of 1871 · P.L. 156 · 1871 · Scanned page

  9. Exempting the property of the Howard Institution, number one thousand six hundred and twelve, Poplar street, Philadelphia, from taxation.

    Act 160 of 1871 · P.L. 157 · March 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  10. Authorizing the Knickerbocker Anthracite Coal Company to reduce the amount of its capital stock.

    Act 161 of 1871 · P.L. 157 · March 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  11. To legalize the acts of the burgess and town council of the borough of Athens, in the county of Bradford, in the construction of embankments for the protection of said borough, and tlie issue of bonds in payment of the satne. Preamble

    Act 162 of 1871 · P.L. 158 · March 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  12. To incorporate the Miners' and

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 159 · March 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  13. Declaring Harvey's creek and Harvey's lake, in the county of Lazerne, a public highway.

    Act 184 of 1871 · P.L. 161 · March 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  14. To authorize the supervisors of Washington township, Wyoming county, to settle with James Bunnell, for moneys advanced by him for bounty purposes.

    Act 165 of 1871 · P.L. 162 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  15. Legalizing the action of the supervisors of Buflfalo township, Washington county, in dividing and selling the roads of said township.

    Act 166 of 1871 · P.L. 162 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  16. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to empower tlie sheriff and prothonotary of Schuylkill county to sue ^or their fees," approved March twentieth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, extending the provisions of the same to the county of Lycoming.

    Act 167 of 1871 · P.L. 163 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  17. To repeal so much of the act of thirty-first March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, to incorporate the Greene County Agricultural and Manufacturing Society, as authorizes the commissioners of said county to pay said society a bounty of fifty dollars annually.

    Act 168 of 1871 · P.L. 164 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  18. To exempt certain real estate of the Silver Spring Lodge, number five hundred and ninety-eight, of Independent Order of Odd Fellows qf the state of Pennsylvania, situated in New Kingston, Cumberland county, from taxation, except for state purposes.

    Act 169 of 1871 · P.L. 164 · 1871 · Scanned page

  19. Relative to the fees of the district attorney in the county of Northampton.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 165 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  20. To repeal an act, approved the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventj', relating to the isublic roads in the township of Butler, in the county of Schuylkill.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 166 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  21. Authorizing the school directors of the borough of Lebanon, Lebanon county, to borrow money for the erection of a building for school purposes.

    Act 172 of 1871 · P.L. 166 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  22. In reference to certain land in the borough of Bristol.

    Act 173 of 1871 · P.L. 167 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  23. Supplement to an act incorporating the Easton Gas Company, approved March fourteenth, Auno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty.

    Act 174 of 1871 · P.L. 168 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  24. To the Lehigh Water Company, in the borough of Easton, Northampton county, for increase of capital stock and to borrow money.

    Act 175 of 1871 · P.L. 169 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  25. To legalize the incorporation of the West Greenville Academy, in Mercer county, and the election of officers for said corporation.

    Act 176 of 1871 · P.L. 169 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  26. To incorporate the Chester and Philadelphia Steamboat Company.

    Act 177 of 1871 · P.L. 170 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  27. To authorize the school directors of the borough of Mount Union, Huntingdon county, to borrow money.

    Act 178 of 1871 · P.L. 171 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  28. Making it lawful for Peter Thorn, and his successor, as keeper of Evergreen cemetery, at Gettysburg, to send to and have educated his children in the common school of the borough of Gettysburg, Adams county.

    Act 179 of 1871 · P.L. 172 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  29. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to erect the town of Lebanon, in the county of Lebanon, into a borough," approved February twentieth, Anno Domini eighteen liundred and twenty-one.

    Act 180 of 1871 · P.L. 173 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  30. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Williamsport Hall and Market Company

    Act 181 of 1871 · P.L. 175 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  31. To authorize tlae school directors of the borough of Springville, in the county of Chester, to borrow money.

    Act 183 of 1871 · P.L. 176 · March 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  32. To incorporate the Federal Market Company of Philadelphia.

    Act 184 of 1871 · P.L. 177 · March 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  33. Authorizing the school directors of Oakland sub-school district of the city of Pittsburg to sell certain real estate and to levy tax.

    Act 185 of 1871 · P.L. 179 · March 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  34. To extend the act, entitled "An Act providing for the taking of game," approved the twenty-first day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, to the county of Wyoming.

    Act 186 of 1871 · P.L. 180 · March 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  35. Enabling the borough of M'Keesport, Allegheny county, to levy a tax, not exceeding one per centum, for borough purposes.

    Act 187 of 1871 · P.L. 180 · March 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  36. Supplement to the act incorporating the Ilarrisburg Cemetery Association.

    Act 188 of 1871 · P.L. 181 · March 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  37. To incorporate the Sliaron Laud Association, in tlie county of

    Act 189 of 1871 · P.L. 181 · March 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  38. To authorize the school directors of Mount Morris independent school district, in Greene county, to borrow money for building purposes.

    Act 190 of 1871 · P.L. 182 · March 7, 1871 · Scanned page

  39. Authorizing the city of Altoona to organize a teachers' institute independently of the county of Blair.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 183 · March 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  40. Supplement to an act, entitled "A supplement to an act for the better management of the Allegheny county prison,'" approved the first day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 192 of 1871 · P.L. 184 · March 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  41. To authorize the commissioners of Perry county to borrow money for the erection of a new poor house.

    Act 193 of 1871 · P.L. 186 · March 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  42. To authorize the commissioners of the sinking fund to sell at public sale all the right, title, claim and interest of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania of, in and to the lot of ground and buildings thereon erected, situate on the south-east corner of Sixteenth and Filbert streets, in the city of Philadelphia, and to execute and deliver the necessary conveyance therefor to the purchaser.

    Act 194 of 1871 · P.L. 187 · March 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  43. Supplementary to the act, entitled "An Act to authorize the Wrightsville, York and Gettysburg Railroad Company to sell their railroad and appurtenances, property, real and personal, corporate rights and franchises to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

    Act 195 of 1871 · P.L. 188 · March 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  44. To authorize the Columbia Bridge Company to sell their bridge and its appurtenances, property, real and personal, corporate rights and franchises to the Pennsj^lvania Railroad Company, and to authorize the Pennsylvania Railroad Company to jjurchase the same, and to issue additional shares of its capital stock for that purpose.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 189 · March 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  45. To authorize the Tyrone and Clearfield Railway Company to sell and convey its railway and appurtenances, property, real and personal, corporate rights and franchises to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and to authorize the Pennsj'lvania Railroad Company to purchase the same and to issue additional shares of its capital stock for that purpose.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 190 · March 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  46. To incorporate the Pittsburg Life Insurance Company of Pittsburg,

    Act 198 of 1871 · P.L. 190 · March 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  47. To authorize the Shainokin Valley and Pottsville Railroad Company to berrow money and issue its bonds and mortgage, to procure the endorsement of the Northern Central railway and the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad companies thereon, and authorizing said Shamokin Valley and Pottsville Railroad Company to purchase additional real estate.

    Act 199 of 1871 · P.L. 195 · March 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  48. To incorporate the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Pennsylvania.

    Act 200 of 1871 · P.L. 197 · March 8, 1871 · Scanned page

  49. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Crawford County Mutual Insurance Company, passed the twenty-eighth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and forty.

    Act 201 of 1871 · P.L. 198 · March 1, 1871 · Scanned page

  50. To incorporate the Chester Wharf and Shipping Company.

    Act 202 of 1871 · P.L. 199 · March 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  51. Supplement to the act approved February twelfth, one thousand eight hundred and one, relating to the Germantown and Perkiomen Turnpike Koad Company.

    Act 203 of 1871 · P.L. 200 · March 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  52. Authorizing the board of school directors of the city of Altoona to borrow money and issue bonds.

    Act 204 of 1871 · P.L. 201 · March 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  53. To vacate a certain forty feet wide road, called tiie Ferry road, in the Twenty-eighth ward of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 205 of 1871 · P.L. 202 · March 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  54. To provide for the appointment of an additional notaries public in the counties of Potter and Bradford.

    Act 206 of 1871 · P.L. 203 · March 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  55. To vacate certain alleys and streets in the borough of Norristown, in the county of Montgomery.

    Act 207 of 1871 · P.L. 203 · March 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  56. Supplement To an act relating to the elections of this commonwealth, approved July second, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirtynine.

    Act 209 of 1871 · P.L. 204 · March 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  57. To prevent horses, mules, cattle, hogs and sheep from running at large iu the township of Smithfield, in the county of Monroe, and in the township of Lower Towamensing, in the county of Carbon.

    Act 210 of 1871 · P.L. 205 · March 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  58. Supplement to an act to authorize the board of school directors of the borough of Bethlehem, Northampton county, to borrow money, approved the third day of May, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 211 of 1871 · P.L. 206 · March 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  59. To release certain real estate of the rector, church wardens and vestrjmen of the Church of the Crucifixion, in the city of Philadelphia, from taxation.

    Act 212 of 1871 · P.L. 206 · March 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  60. To amend the charter of the borough of Shrewsbury, in the county of York, Pennsylvania.

    Act 213 of 1871 · P.L. 207 · March 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  61. To exempt the Baptist Home of Philadelphia from taxation.

    Act 214 of 1871 · P.L. 208 · March 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  62. To provide for the ordinary expenses of the scvoruinent, and other general and specific appropriations for the j'ear Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.

    Act 215 of 1871 · P.L. 209 · May 27, 1871 · Scanned page

  63. To incorporate the Fairchance Iron Company.

    Act 216 of 1871 · P.L. 225 · March 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  64. Authorizing the city of Altoona to provide a supply of water and to borrow money.

    Act 217 of 1871 · P.L. 227 · 1871 · Scanned page

  65. To declare the meaning of an act compelling railroad and other corporations to pay counsel fees of plaintitf in certain cases, approved May third, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 218 of 1871 · P.L. 231 · March 16, 1871 · Scanned page

  66. Relating to non-used and abandoned franchises of turnpike, plank road, canal and slack -water navigation companies or public highways, providing what shall constitute evidencs of abandonment.

    Act 219 of 1871 · P.L. 231 · March 22, 1871 · Scanned page

  67. Supplement to the act of ninth of April, Anno Domini eighteen hundred and fiftysix, regulating the public printing and binding.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 232 · 1871 · Scanned page

  68. To allow the improvement of creeks and rivulets.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 237 · March 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  69. To continue in force the fourth section of an act, approved April second, ore thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, entitled "An Act extending to canal companies the privileges heretofore conferred on Railroad companies, and to authorize them to deepen and improve their canals, and provide improved facilities for transporting property.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 239 · March 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  70. To extend the provisions of the act of March twenty-seventh, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, entitled "An Act to enlarge the jurisdiction of the courts of common pleas of this commonwealth, relative to granting charters of incorporation and confirming those heretofore" granted.

    Act 222 of 1871 · P.L. 239 · March 30, 1871 · Scanned page

  71. Relative to tlie chartering of mutual fire inaurance companies.

    Act 224 of 1871 · P.L. 240 · April 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  72. To empower the courts of common pleas of this commonwealth to authorize school directors to borrow money.

    Act 225 of 1871 · P.L. 241 · April 21, 1871 · Scanned page

  73. Supplement to an act for the organization, discipline and regulation of the militia of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, approved May fourth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.

    Act 226 of 1871 · P.L. 241 · April 26, 1871 · Scanned page

  74. Prescribing the fees for the office of secretary of the commonwealth.

    Act 221 of 1871 · P.L. 242 · April 27, 1871 · Scanned page

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

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 243 · 1871 · Scanned page

  76. Supplement To an act, entitled "An Act to consolidate, revise and amend the laws of this commonwealth relating to penal proceedings and pleadings," approved the thirty -first day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty.

    Act 229 of 1871 · P.L. 244 · April 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  77. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate and endow the Pennsylvania institution for the deaf and dumb," passed the eighth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one.

    Act 230 of 1871 · P.L. 245 · April 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  78. To correct a clerical error in a supplement to the act providing for the taking of game, approved the first day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, approved the fifth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 231 of 1871 · P.L. 245 · April 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  79. Supplement to the act of April fourth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, relative to the formation and regulation of railroad corporations.

    Act 232 of 1871 · P.L. 246 · April 28, 1871 · Scanned page

  80. Fixing the compensation of law judges of the commonwealth for holding special courts.

    Act 233 of 1871 · P.L. 247 · May 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  81. Supplement to an act to enable railroad, canal and slack-water navigation companies to straighten, widen, deepen and otherwise improve their lines of railroads, canals and slack-water navigation, and the bridges, aqueducts, piers and structures thereof, approved the seventeenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 234 of 1871 · P.L. 248 · May 2, 1871 · Scanned page

  82. Relating to leases or contracts for the use of canals pr other navigation works by railroad companies.

    Act 235 of 1871 · P.L. 248 · May 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  83. To extend the time for paying certain enrolment taxes.

    Act 236 of 1871 · P.L. 249 · May 3, 1871 · Scanned page

  84. To regulate the sale of clams and oj'sters.

    Act 237 of 1871 · P.L. 250 · May 4, 1871 · Scanned page

  85. Changing the terms of the supreme court for the Western and Northern district.

    Act 238 of 1871 · P.L. 251 · May 5, 1871 · Scanned page

  86. To fix the number of senators and representatives, and to form the state into districts, in pursuance of the provisions of the constitution.

    Act 239 of 1871 · P.L. 252 · May 11, 1871 · Scanned page

  87. Supplement to an act directing the entry of liens for the principal and interest due the eommon-wealth for lands held by virtue of location or other office titles, approved the twentieth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 261 · May 5, 1871 · Scanned page

  88. For the collection of mineral statistics.

    Act 242 of 1871 · P.L. 261 · May 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  89. For the re-draining of wet and swampy lauds.

    Act 243 of 1871 · P.L. 263 · May 9, 1871 · Scanned page

  90. To confer additioual powers of amendment upon the courts of this commonwealth.

    Act 244 of 1871 · P.L. 265 · May 10, 1871 · Scanned page

  91. Relating to companies incorporated under the general mining laws of this commonwealth.

    Act 245 of 1871 · P.L. 265 · 1871 · Scanned page

  92. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to revise, amend and consolidate the laws taxing corporations, brokers and bankers,'" approved May first, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 267 · May 13, 1871 · Scanned page

  93. Exempting membei's of the National Guard of Penns3-lvania from jury service.

    Act 248 of 1871 · P.L. 267 · 1871 · Scanned page

  94. Relative to actions of replevin.

    Act 249 of 1871 · P.L. 268 · May 15, 1871 · Scanned page

  95. Supplement to an act relating to assignees for the benefit of creditors and otlier trustees, api^roved June fourteenth, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 269 · May 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  96. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act relating to executors and administrators," approved twenty-fourth February, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.

    Act of 1871 · P.L. 269 · May 17, 1871 · Scanned page

  97. Relative to the duties charged upon sales of foreign merchandise byauctioneers.

    Act 252 of 1871 · P.L. 270 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  98. To prohibit the sale of academic degrees.

    Act 253 of 1871 · P.L. 271 · May 19, 1871 · Scanned page

  99. Relating to state roads, giving the courts power to fix their width.

    Act 254 of 1871 · P.L. 272 · 1871 · Scanned page

  100. To authorize the liquidation of damages sustained by citizens of Pennsylvania during the late rebellion.

    Act 255 of 1871 · P.L. 272 · 1871 · 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.