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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. Supplement to the act authorizing the qualified voters of Hempfield township, Westmoreland county, to elect two additional supervisors, passed the twentieth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, changing the Hempfield aDd Dry Ridge district.

    Act 744 of 1870 · P.L. 816 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  2. Relative to the pay of auditors and supervisors in certain townships in the county of Lawrence.

    Act 745 of 1870 · P.L. 816 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  3. Authorizing the chief of police and high constable of the borough of Tremont, Schuylkill county. Pennsylvania, to commit any person or persons offending against the law, into the lock-up house in said borough of Tremont.

    Act 748 of 1870 · P.L. 819 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  4. To authorize the making of new indexes to the records in the recorder's office of Allegheny county.

    Act 749 of 1870 · P.L. 820 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  5. To declare part of Conestoga creek, in the county of Lancaster, a public highway for the protection of fish.

    Act 750 of 1870 · P.L. 821 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  6. To pay a gratuity and a pension to Samuol Bowers, a soldier of the war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

    Act 751 of 1870 · P.L. 822 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  7. To exempt the Evangelical Lutheran parsonage, in Donegal, Westmoreland county, from taxation.

    Act 752 of 1870 · P.L. 823 · March 28, 1870 · Scanned page

  8. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act giving a bounty on fox scalps in tbe county of Dauphin," approved twenty-seventh day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty -nine, extending the same to the county of Schuylkill.

    Act 753 of 1870 · P.L. 824 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  9. To incorporate the Young Men's Christian Association of the city of Scran ton.

    Act 754 of 1870 · P.L. 824 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  10. Supplementary to an act, entitled "An Act to lay out a state road in Allegheny and Butler counties," approved the twelfth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 155 of 1870 · P.L. 825 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  11. To authorize the burgess and council of the borough of Blairsville, in the county of Indiana, to borrow money.

    Act 756 of 1870 · P.L. 826 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  12. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Lincoln Institution, approved the ninth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixtysix.

    Act 757 of 1870 · P.L. 827 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  13. Supplement to an act to prohibt the issuing of licenses to sell spirituous, vinous, malt or brewed liquors in the boroughs of Conneaut ville and Spring, in the county of Crawford, approved April ninth. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, extending the provisions of the same to the townships of Spring and Beaver, in said county.

    Act 758 of 1870 · P.L. 828 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  14. For the protection of sheep and taxing of dogs in the township of Hamilton, in the county of Monroe.

    Act 759 of 1870 · P.L. 829 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  15. To incorporate the Iron City Land Company.

    Act 760 of 1870 · P.L. 830 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  16. Extending the provisions of the aet of the eleventh of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, relative to the fees of county treasurers in Luzerne and Clearfield, to the county of Clinton.

    Act 761 of 1870 · P.L. 832 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  17. To authorize the Hanover Branch Railroad Company to construct branches in said railroad, not to exceed ten miles in length.

    Act 762 of 1870 · P.L. 832 · April 2, 1870 · Scanned page

  18. To prevent hawking and peddling in Crawford and M'Kean counties without a license.

    Act 763 of 1870 · P.L. 833 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  19. To annul the marriage contract between Richard Steavely and Ella Steavely, his wife.

    Act 164 of 1870 · P.L. 834 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  20. Relating to the Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroad Company.

    Act 161 of 1870 · P.L. 836 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  21. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad and Coal Company, approved May sixth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

    Act 766 of 1870 · P.L. 836 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  22. To authorize and empower the trustees of the Waterford academy, in the county of Erie, to appropriate money belonging to said academy, for the purpose of building a boarding hall for the use of students thereof.

    Act 768 of 1870 · P.L. 837 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  23. To repeal a supplement to an act to prevent cattle, horses, sheep, mules, goats and swine from running at large in the townships of Sugar Grove and Freehold, in the county of Warren, and the township of Plum, Venango county, and approved March twenty-seven, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, approved April tenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, as far as relates to

    Act 769 of 1870 · P.L. 838 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  24. Supplement to an act, entitled "A supplement to the act incorporating the Pittsburg and Connellsville Railroad Company,'' approved the twentyfirst day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.

    Act 770 of 1870 · P.L. 838 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  25. To authorize the overseers of the poor of Eldred township, Jefferson county, to levy an additional tax.

    Act 771 of 1870 · P.L. 839 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  26. To repeal an act approved April seventeenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, entitled "An Act to protect fish in the townships of Barret and Price, in the county of Monroe.

    Act 772 of 1870 · P.L. 840 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  27. Supplement to an act incorporating the city of Erie.

    Act 773 of 1870 · P.L. 840 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  28. Creating the North ward of the borough of Pottsville.

    Act 774 of 1870 · P.L. 842 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  29. To increase the pay of election officers in the county of Bradford.

    Act 775 of 1870 · P.L. 843 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  30. Relative to vagrants in the county of York.

    Act 776 of 1870 · P.L. 844 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  31. To prevent hogs from running at large in Union township, Union county.

    Act 777 of 1870 · P.L. 844 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  32. Authorizing the burgess and town council of the borough of Sharon, Mercer county, to borrow money.

    Act 118 of 1870 · P.L. 845 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  33. To authorize the school board of Mount Pleasant borough to levy and collect a per capita tax for building purposes.

    Act 179 of 1870 · P.L. 846 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  34. To extend the time of certain officers in Lebanon county.

    Act 780 of 1870 · P.L. 846 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  35. To authorize the borough of Cassville school district to borrow money and issue bonds to secure the payment of the same.

    Act 781 of 1870 · P.L. 847 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  36. Supplement to the act incorporating the borough of Hyde Park.

    Act 782 of 1870 · P.L. 848 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  37. Authorizing the commissioners of Allegheny county to provide and furnish a convenient room or rooms as an office for the county superintendent of common schools of said county.

    Act 783 of 1870 · P.L. 848 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  38. to and relating to the borough of West Elizabeth, in the county of Allegheny.

    Act 784 of 1870 · P.L. 849 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  39. Providing for the election of a solicitor for Dauphin county.

    Act 785 of 1870 · P.L. 855 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  40. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Wheatley Dramatic- Association," approved February twelfth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 786 of 1870 · P.L. 856 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  41. To authorize the sale of certain out-lots in the city of Franklin.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 857 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  42. To extend the provisions of an act, entitled "A supplement to an act relating to the lien of mechanics and others upon buildings, so far as relates to certain counties.'' approved the first day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, to the coumies of Lehigh and Union.

    Act 787 of 1870 · P.L. 857 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  43. Providing for the removal of the dead interred in the Union burial ground of the borough of Millersburg to Oak Hill cemetery of said borough, and authorizing the board of trustees of said burial ground to sell the real estate used for such purpose, after said removal.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 858 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  44. To enable the city of Franklin, in the county of Venango, to fund its debts.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 860 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  45. Supplement to the act of March nineteenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty, entitled "An Act to incorporate the city of Harrisburg." relating to taxes in the city of Harrisburg and the county of Dauphin.

    Act 791 of 1870 · P.L. 860 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  46. To the charter of the city of Allentown.

    Act 792 of 1870 · P.L. 861 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  47. Supplement to an act to prevent cattle, horses, sheep and swine from running at large in the county of Chester, approved April first, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, extending the provisions of same to townships of Sadsbury, Bart and Colerain, in the count3r of Lancaster.

    Act 793 of 1870 · P.L. 862 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  48. To prohibit the issuing of licenses to sell spirituous, vinous, malt and brewed liquors in the township of Franklin, in the county of Westmoreland.

    Act 794 of 1870 · P.L. 863 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  49. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Spring Garden Plank Road Company, in the county of York.

    Act 795 of 1870 · P.L. 864 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  50. To authorize the supervisors of Pike township, Potter county, also the school directors of said township, to return to the county commissioners of said county the unseated taxes of said township for the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 796 of 1870 · P.L. 864 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  51. Incorporating the Erie County Monumental Association.

    Act 797 of 1870 · P.L. 865 · 1870 · Scanned page

  52. To make county taxes a lien on real estate in the county of Lycoming, and relative to the duties of assessors in said county.

    Act 798 of 1870 · P.L. 866 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  53. To authorize the road commissioners of Ridgebury township, Bradford county, to add twenty-five per cent, to delinquent road taxes, and cause the same to be expended in the proper sub-districts.

    Act 800 of 1870 · P.L. 868 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  54. Incorporating the Board of Home Missions of the Reformed church in the United States.

    Act 801 of 1870 · P.L. 868 · February 18, 1870 · Scanned page

  55. To incorporate the Lehigh Dispatch Company.

    Act 802 of 1870 · P.L. 870 · March 31, 1870 · Scanned page

  56. To incorporate the Sunbury Steam Ferry and Tow-boat Company.

    Act 803 of 1870 · P.L. 871 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  57. For the improvement of the public roads in Lancaster county.

    Act 804 of 1870 · P.L. 874 · 1870 · Scanned page

  58. To extend to Mrs. Eleanor Scott, of Franklin, Venango county. Pennsylvania, widow of James Scott, private in the Seventeenth United States infantry, war of one thousand eight hundred and twelve, and to Mrs. Peter Harinan, widow, of Berks county, the benefit of the acts of assembly of the thirtieth of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, and supplement thereto, of the twentyfourth

    Act 805 of 1870 · P.L. 874 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  59. Authorizing the borough of Columbia to borrow money to build a town hall, and hold an election to get the sense of the people as to the erection of said hall.

    Act 806 of 1870 · P.L. 875 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  60. To incorporate the Lancaster and New Danville Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 807 of 1870 · P.L. 876 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  61. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Titusville and Pit-Hole Plank Road Company, approved the second day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 808 of 1870 · P.L. 877 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  62. To extend the provisions of an act to prevent horses, mules, slieep and swine from running at large in certain boroughs and townships in the county of Luzerne, to Exeter township, in said county.

    Act 809 of 1870 · P.L. 878 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  63. To incorporate the Central Inclined Plane Company.

    Act 810 of 1870 · P.L. 879 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  64. Conferring additional powers on the Muncy borough school district, in Lycoming county, in this state.

    Act 811 of 1870 · P.L. 880 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  65. Relative to the creation of a police district in Robinson township, county of Allegheny.

    Act 812 of 1870 · P.L. 881 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  66. Authorizing the appointment of commissioners to run and mark the boundary lines between the counties of Union, Centre, Mifflin and Snyder.

    Act 813 of 1870 · P.L. 882 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  67. Supplement to an act incorporating the Bingham Mining and Lumbering Company.

    Act 814 of 1870 · P.L. 884 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  68. Supplementary to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Good Intent Fire Company of Roxborough township, in the county of Philadelphia, and to provide for the same.

    Act 815 of 1870 · P.L. 884 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  69. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Honesdale Law and Library Association in Wayne county," approved the nineteenth day of February, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 816 of 1870 · P.L. 885 · April 1, 1870 · Scanned page

  70. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the president, managers and company of the Richborough and Pineville Turnpike Road Company," approved the third day of March, one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.

    Act 817 of 1870 · P.L. 886 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  71. To incorporate the Jordan Mutual Fire Insurance Company of the city of Allentown.

    Act 818 of 1870 · P.L. 887 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  72. To au act to incorporate the Lebanon Valley College.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 888 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  73. To provide for the opening, grading and paving of Haverford avenue, in the Twenty-fourth ward of the city of Philadelphia, from Somerset street to Sixty-eighth street.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 888 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  74. Granting authority to the common council of the city of Titusville to make regulations concerning the erection of wooden buildings in business portions of said city.

    Act 821 of 1870 · P.L. 889 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  75. Relative to the collection of taxes in the township of Penn, in the county of Berks.

    Act 822 of 1870 · P.L. 890 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  76. To open, pave and grade Market street, between Forty-third and Sixty-third streets, in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 823 of 1870 · P.L. 890 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  77. Supplement to an act authorizing the burgess and town council of the borough of Wilkesbarre to borrow money to purchase a public cemetery, approved the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty

    Act 824 of 1870 · P.L. 891 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  78. To protect fish in Northampton county.

    Act 825 of 1870 · P.L. 893 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  79. Authorizing the burgess and town council of the borough of Sharon, in the county of Mercer, to appoint special police officers.

    Act 826 of 1870 · P.L. 894 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  80. Extending to Venango county the provisions of an act, entitled "An Act requiring the commissioners of Lancaster county to give bond, •with sureties, for the faithful performance of their duties," approved the twenty -sixth da}of February, one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 827 of 1870 · P.L. 895 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  81. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Scrubgrass and Mechanicsville Turnpike Company.

    Act 828 of 1870 · P.L. 896 · April 1, 1870 · Scanned page

  82. Extending the provisions of an act approved the seventh day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, entitled "An Act to prevent cattle, horses, sheep or hogs from running at large in Bethlehem township, Northampton county," to Upper Saucon township, in the county of Lehigh.

    Act 829 of 1870 · P.L. 896 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  83. To provide for the assessment of road tax in Darby township, Delaware

    Act 830 of 1870 · P.L. 897 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  84. Supplement To an act, entitled "An Act to authorize railroad companies to lease or become lessees, and to make contracts with other railroad corporations and parties.

    Act 832 of 1870 · P.L. 898 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  85. To incorporate the Pittsburg Opera House Company of Pittsburg.

    Act 833 of 1870 · P.L. 899 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  86. Granting permission to Robert P. Bender to lay a single railroad track across Callowhill street, in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 834 of 1870 · P.L. 900 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  87. Authorizing the levying and collection of a tax in the township of Jackson, Monroe county, for re-payment of money advanced to pay the commutation of persons drafted into the military service of the United States.

    Act 835 of 1870 · P.L. 901 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  88. Supplement to an act to incorporate the city of

    Act 836 of 1870 · P.L. 903 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  89. Repealing all acts of assembly preventing cows, horses, cattle, sheep and swine from running at large, so far as the same relates to certain boroughs and townships in Crawford county.

    Act 837 of 1870 · P.L. 905 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  90. To incorporate the Easton Driving Park Association of Easton, Northampton

    Act 838 of 1870 · P.L. 906 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  91. Relating to the election of officers for the borough of Huntingdon.

    Act 839 of 1870 · P.L. 907 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  92. Supplement to an act-, entitled "A supplement to an act for the protection of sheep in certain counties, extending the same to Tuscarora township, in Bradford county." approved April seventeenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, changing certain duties from county to township officers.

    Act 841 of 1870 · P.L. 910 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  93. Supplement To an act, entitled -'An Act prohibiting the licensing of any person to sell vinous, spirituous, malt or brewed liquors, or any of them, or any admixture thereof, in the counties of Westmoreland, Blair and Indiana, except to the keepers of hotels, inns or taverns, and regulating the granting of licenses to the keepers of such, in the said counties." approved twenty-seventh day

    Act 842 of 1870 · P.L. 910 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  94. To authorize the school directors of the First independent school district of Nicholson township, in the county of Wyoming, to levy an additional tax, and to borrow rnoney for building purposes.

    Act 843 of 1870 · P.L. 911 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  95. To incorporate the Lehigh Grain, Coal and Lumber Company.

    Act 844 of 1870 · P.L. 912 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  96. To incorporate the Friedensburg Turnpilvb Road Company, within the county of Berks.

    Act 845 of 1870 · P.L. 914 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  97. To incorporate the New Bethlehem and Clarion Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 846 of 1870 · P.L. 915 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  98. Authorizing a state road to be laid out from the borough of Media. in the county of Delaware, to Lancaster avenue, near Fairmount Park, in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 847 of 1870 · P.L. 917 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  99. To incorporate the Miners' Hospital and Asylum of Schuylkill county.

    Act 848 of 1870 · P.L. 919 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  100. Authorizing the commissioners of the county of Schuylkill to receive the return of the school tax collector and the return of the borough tax collector of the borough of Shenandoah City, Schuylkill county, within sixty days after the passage of this act.

    Act 849 of 1870 · P.L. 923 · April 5, 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.