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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. Providing for the admitting to probate the copy of the last will and testament of John Sweatman, late of the city of Erie, deceased.

    Act 850 of 1870 · P.L. 923 · 1870 · Scanned page

  2. To repeal an act for the taxing of dogs in the county of Lancaster for the benefit of the Home for Friendless Children of the city and county of Lancaster, approved April seventeenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 851 of 1870 · P.L. 924 · 1870 · Scanned page

  3. To incorporate the Pennsylvania Lightning Rod Company.

    Act 852 of 1870 · P.L. 925 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  4. To vacate a certain alley in the borough of New Brighton, Beaver county, between Fourth street and Bush street, in said borough.

    Act 853 of 1870 · P.L. 926 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  5. Supplement to an act incorporating the Muncy Creek Railway Company.

    Act 854 of 1870 · P.L. 927 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  6. Relating to appeals and transcripts from the judgments of justices of the peace in the county of Juniata.

    Act 855 of 1870 · P.L. 928 · April 4, 1870 · Scanned page

  7. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the American Academy of Music," approved March twenty-fourth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty -two, authorizing the purchase and cancellation of a certain amount of stock.

    Act 856 of 1870 · P.L. 928 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  8. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Union Passenger Railway Company of Philadelphia." approved April eighth. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, authorizing the said company to extend their track.

    Act 857 of 1870 · P.L. 929 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  9. To change the name of the North Lebanon Railroad Company.

    Act 858 of 1870 · P.L. 930 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  10. To extend to the boroughs of Renovo and Lewistown the provisions of the act of April twenty-second, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, regulating auctions and auctioneers.

    Act 859 of 1870 · P.L. 931 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  11. Relating to proceedings and jurisdiction of justices of the peace in civil causes, in the county of Venango.

    Act 860 of 1870 · P.L. 931 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  12. Additional c >mmissioners :. ppointed. Time for comnii'iKiiig and completing work, ox tended $ C& upplcmntf To an act incorporating the Pequea Valley Railroad Company, approved the fourth da}' of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 861 of 1870 · P.L. 932 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  13. Extending the provisions of an act, entitled,: An Act relating to livery stable keepers in Allegheny county, Berks and Westmoreland counties," to Beaver county.

    Act 862 of 1870 · P.L. 933 · April 5, 1870 · Scanned page

  14. Relative to taxing railroad?, coal banks, real and personal property in Hickory township, in the county of Mercer, and state of Pennsylvania, except the Erie and Pittsburg railroad, for school purposes.

    Act 863 of 1870 · P.L. 935 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  15. To incorporate the Morgan Improvement Company.

    Act 865 of 1870 · P.L. 936 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  16. To incorporate the Crescent Improvement Company.

    Act 866 of 1870 · P.L. 937 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  17. Requiring the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad Company to conform, in its charges for transportation and tolls, to certain requirements established by the eighteenth section of the act regulating railroad companies, approved February nineteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.

    Act 807 of 1870 · P.L. 938 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  18. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across an arm of the Allegheny river to Herr's island, in the county of Allegheny.

    Act 868 of 1870 · P.L. 939 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  19. To incorporate the Pittsburg and Ormsby Passenger Railroad Company.

    Act 869 of 1870 · P.L. 939 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  20. To lay out a state road in the city of Philadelphia and the county of Bucks.

    Act 870 of 1870 · P.L. 944 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  21. Relative to code of ordinances in the city of Allegheny.

    Act 871 of 1870 · P.L. 945 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  22. Board of revision to appoint two additional assessors. Assessors residing within certain portion Of ward to continue to act. Election of assessors. No. S72. Creating two additional assessors for the Twentieth ward, in the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 872 of 1870 · P.L. 946 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  23. Supplement To an act granting a pension to Hugh Baker, of Clarion county, approved the twenty-seventh day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

    Act 873 of 1870 · P.L. 947 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  24. To detach the farms of Amos S. Hancox and John Brown from Oil Creek township, Crawford county, and to attach them to Cherry Tree township, Venango county, for school purposes.

    Act 874 of 1870 · P.L. 947 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  25. To correct a clerical error in the act, entitled "A supplement to an act to incorporate the Dimes Savings Institution, now Allentown Savings Institution, to increase its capital stock, and to create or extend the same.

    Act 875 of 1870 · P.L. 948 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  26. No. 8T6. $« gut Relatis"e to arbitrations in certain counties.

    Act 876 of 1870 · P.L. 948 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  27. Supplement to an act, entitled " An Act creating a board for the erection of a city hall in the city of Pittsburg,'' approved March first, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

    Act 877 of 1870 · P.L. 951 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  28. No. 878. |U JWt Supplemental to the several acts relating to the sale of liquor in the county of Allegheny.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 952 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  29. Supplement to an act approved the eighteenth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and seventy, entitled '• An Act to provide for appointing a police justice in and for the city of Erie.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 953 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  30. To provide for the payment of William O. Bateman, as captain of company II, Eighth cavalry regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers.

    Act 880 of 1870 · P.L. 954 · 1870 · Scanned page

  31. To incorporate the York and Dover Turnpike Road Company, in ue county of York.

    Act 881 of 1870 · P.L. 955 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  32. To protect ship-owners, and regulate the licensing of stevedores in Philadelphia.

    Act 883 of 1870 · P.L. 958 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  33. Relating to the commencement of actions.

    Act 884 of 1870 · P.L. 960 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  34. To validate certain proceedings in partition.

    Act 885 of 1870 · P.L. 960 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  35. To authorize and direct the attorney general of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to take proceedings to enforce certain provisions of an act, entitled "An Act relating to the Sunbury and Erie Railroad Company, and the Cleveland. Painesvilleand Ashtabula Railroad Company," approved May fifth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.

    Act 886 of 1870 · P.L. 961 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  36. To release the Gloria Dei church, in the city of Philadelphia, a supposed escheat to the commonwealth of the estate of Mary Catharine Peterson, deceased.

    Act 888 of 1870 · P.L. 964 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  37. To the Milford and Matamoras Railroad Company.

    Act 889 of 1870 · P.L. 965 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  38. Supplement to an act incorporating the city of Meadville. passed the fifteenth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

    Act 890 of 1870 · P.L. 967 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  39. Supplement to the act for the relief of John Hower. late collector of hounty tax for the township of Lewis, in the county of Union, approved February, one thousand eight hundred and

    Act 891 of 1870 · P.L. 976 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  40. Supplement to an act, entitled " A supplement (approved the tenth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven) to an act empowering the Lutheran congregation of the old Goshenhoppen church, in Upper Salford township, in Montgomery county, to collect their outstanding debts," approved the twenty-fifth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.

    Act 893 of 1870 · P.L. 977 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  41. To increase the fees of jurors in the county of Washington.

    Act 895 of 1870 · P.L. 979 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  42. In relation to the health officer and the port physician of the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 896 of 1870 · P.L. 979 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  43. To authorize the Mont Alto Iron Company to construct a railroad from their iron works, in Franklin county, to a point on the Cumberland Valley railroad, at or near the town of Scotland, in said county.

    Act 897 of 1870 · P.L. 980 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  44. To incorporate the National Trust Company.

    Act 898 of 1870 · P.L. 981 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  45. To incorporate the Mount Pleasant and Broad Ford Railroad Company.

    Act 899 of 1870 · P.L. 983 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  46. To incorporate the Montour Railroad Company.

    Act 900 of 1870 · P.L. 984 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  47. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Pennsylvania Company for Insurance on Lives and Granting Annuities." passed the tenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

    Act 901 of 1870 · P.L. 985 · 1870 · Scanned page

  48. To enlarge the jurisdiction of justices of the peace in the county of Mercer.

    Act 902 of 1870 · P.L. 987 · 1870 · Scanned page

  49. Enlarging the limits of the borough of Wellsboro', in the county of Tioga.

    Act 903 of 1870 · P.L. 988 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  50. As to courts in Butler county.

    Act 904 of 1870 · P.L. 989 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  51. Authorizing the school directors of the city of Williamsport to borrow money.

    Act 906 of 1870 · P.L. 990 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  52. Appointing commissioners to layout a state road from Wilcox to Williamsville, in Elk county.

    Act 907 of 1870 · P.L. 991 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  53. Authorizing the transfer of the Wellsboro' academy to the Wellsboro1 school district, in the county of Tioga.

    Act 908 of 1870 · P.L. 992 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  54. Relating to the Chester Fire Insurance Company.

    Act 909 of 1870 · P.L. 994 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  55. Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act for the appointment of path-masters in certain parts of Luzerne count}','' approved the twelfth day of March. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, so far as relates to the township of Foster.

    Act 910 of 1870 · P.L. 994 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  56. To incorporate the TJniontown and Masontown Turnpike Company.

    Act 911 of 1870 · P.L. 995 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  57. In relation to the election of supervisors in the township of Eldred, in the county of Schuylkill.

    Act 913 of 1870 · P.L. 997 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  58. To authorize the school directors of the borough of Freeport, in the county ol Armstrong, to borrow money for building purposes.

    Act 916 of 1870 · P.L. 1000 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  59. Relating to the extension of boro\igo limits in Northumberland county.

    Act 917 of 1870 · P.L. 1000 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  60. To incorporate the Hancock and Warfordsburg Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 918 of 1870 · P.L. 1001 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  61. To require the borough of Youngsville, in Warren county, to maintain a certain side-walk.

    Act 919 of 1870 · P.L. 1002 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  62. Authorizing and requiring the Auditor General and State Treasurer to audit and settle the account of Mrs. Sarah Filler.

    Act 920 of 1870 · P.L. 1003 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  63. To revive a certain warrant issued for the collection of bounty taxes in Sadsbury township, Lancaster county.

    Act 921 of 1870 · P.L. 1004 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  64. To annul the marriage contract between Daniel Lane and Ava Percy Lane, his wife.

    Act 922 of 1870 · P.L. 1004 · 1870 · Scanned page

  65. To extend the time for the payment of the enrolment tax upon an act to incorporate the Miramar Iron Company, and to regulate the capital stock of said company.

    Act 923 of 1870 · P.L. 1005 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  66. To authorize the court of common pleas of Erie county to appoint poor directors for said county.

    Act 924 of 1870 · P.L. 1005 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  67. Declaring Wilson's Fork of the Clarion river, above Wilcox, in Elk county, a public highway.

    Act 925 of 1870 · P.L. 1006 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  68. Giving bounty on wild cat, weasels, mink, pole-cat, hawk and owl scalps.

    Act 926 of 1870 · P.L. 1007 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  69. 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 Penns3'lvama Railroad Company.

    Act 927 of 1870 · P.L. 1008 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  70. To regulate the pay of the county commissioners and county auditors of Crawford county.

    Act 928 of 1870 · P.L. 1009 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  71. Amending and construing an act to incorporate the Meadville Cooperative Store of Meadville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, approved March twenty-seventh, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 929 of 1870 · P.L. 1009 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  72. To regulate the construction of bridges over the Ohio river, within the bounds of this commonwealth.

    Act 930 of 1870 · P.L. 1010 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  73. Giving bounty on fox, mink and pole-cat scalps in the county of Northumberland.

    Act 931 of 1870 · P.L. 1011 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  74. To extend the time so as to allow the county of Bradford to vote upon the provisions of an act, entitled " An Act to provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor for the county of Bradford," approved May first, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.

    Act 933 of 1870 · P.L. 1013 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  75. Repealing the act, entitled "An Act relative to the assessment of taxes in the county of Delaware," approved the twentieth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty

    Act 934 of 1870 · P.L. 1014 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  76. Supplement To the act, entitled " An Act giving a bounty on fox scalps in the counties of Dauphin and Cumberland," approved March twentyseven, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.

    Act 935 of 1870 · P.L. 1015 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  77. Relative to the taxation of dogs in the township of Wrightstown, in the county of Bucks.

    Act 936 of 1870 · P.L. 1015 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  78. To prevent burial of the dead in the grave-yard of the Lutheran church in the borough of Lewisburg. and authorizing the removal of the dead now buried in the same.

    Act 037 of 1870 · P.L. 1016 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  79. Supplementary to an act incorporating the borough of Easton, in the county of Northampton.

    Act 938 of 1870 · P.L. 1017 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  80. Supplementary to an act, entitled "An Act for erecting a free bridge over Stony creek, at Johnstown," approved the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.

    Act 939 of 1870 · P.L. 1017 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  81. Supplement to the act incorporating the borough of Washington, Washington county.

    Act 940 of 1870 · P.L. 1018 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  82. To incorporate the Gibsonburg and Hubbard's Corners Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 941 of 1870 · P.L. 1019 · April 6, 1870 · Scanned page

  83. To amend the act incorporating the city of Lock Haven.

    Act 942 of 1870 · P.L. 1020 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  84. Authorizing the qualified voters of South Huntingdon township, Westmoreland county, to elect two additional supervisors.

    Act 943 of 1870 · P.L. 1020 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  85. To incorporate the Herald Printing Company of Pittsburg.

    Act 944 of 1870 · P.L. 1021 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  86. To exempt from taxation the United American Mechanics' hall, at Manayunk.

    Act 945 of 1870 · P.L. 1022 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  87. To authorize an additional law judge of the court of common pleas for the city and county of Philadelphia.

    Act 946 of 1870 · P.L. 1023 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  88. To authorize an additional judge for the district court for the city and county of Philadelphia.

    Act 947 of 1870 · P.L. 1024 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  89. Conferring certain privileges upon the Artisans' Building and Loan Association of Philadelphia.

    Act 948 of 1870 · P.L. 1024 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  90. To incorporate the Pennsylvania Company.

    Act 949 of 1870 · P.L. 1025 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  91. To incorporate the Federal Insurance Company of Allegheny.

    Act 950 of 1870 · P.L. 1028 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  92. Relative to the Karthaus Bridge and Turnpike Company.

    Act 951 of 1870 · P.L. 1029 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  93. Relative to the canal sewer in the city of Allegheny.

    Act 953 of 1870 · P.L. 1031 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  94. For the establishment of public scales and for weighing hay, straw, coal, lime, et cetera, in the borough of Sharpsburg, Allegheny county.

    Act 954 of 1870 · P.L. 1032 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  95. Authorizing the court of common pleas of Chester county to order the sale of a school house in West Nantmea] township, and toorder the payment of a trust fund into the hands of the school directors of said township.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1034 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  96. For the recovery of municipal charges, claims and taxes in the borough of Middietown, Dauphin county.

    Act of 1870 · P.L. 1035 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  97. To incorporate the Juniata Valley Fire Insurance Company.

    Act 958 of 1870 · P.L. 1037 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  98. To authorize the appointment of auctioneers in Luzerne county.

    Act 959 of 1870 · P.L. 1040 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  99. Relating to the hotel license of Henry Bolig, of Selinsgrove, Snyder county.

    Act 960 of 1870 · P.L. 1041 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

  100. To provide for the payment for furniture for Governor's mansion.

    Act 963 of 1870 · P.L. 1043 · April 7, 1870 · Scanned page

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Constitution of 19681968–today

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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.