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.
1,705 laws of the 1810s
Constitution of 1790
An act extending the benefits of the "Act securing to mechanics and others payment for their labor and materials in erecting any house or other building in the city and county of Philadelphia - amend - extending to the mechanics and others of the
Act 108 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act enabling the executors of the last will and testament of Michael Murphy, deceased, to release and convey to John Laney a certain tract of land
Act 109 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise a permanent bridge to be built over the Swatara from State street in the town of Portsmouth, in the county of Dauphin
Act 110 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise the Governor to appoint commissioners to explore the route of the intended canal for uniting the waters of the Seneca lake and Tioga river, in the state of New York
Act 111 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act authorising the court of quarter sessions of Lancaster county to appoint commissioners to review part of the state road from the borough of West Chester to the borough of Lancaster
Act 112 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to establish a public ferry on the west branch of the Susquehanna river, at the mouth of Nippenose creek, in the county of Lycoming, and to vest the right thereof in Henry Antes, junior, his heirs and assigns
Act 113 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise the Governor to incorporate the Lackawana turnpike road company
Act 114 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise the commissioners of Franklin county to sell and convey a lot of ground whereon the jail of said county stands, and to purchase another lot or lots of ground to erect a new one thereon
Act 115 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act incorporating a school at Meadville
Act 116 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act authorising the trustees of the Evangelical German Lutheran congregation of Zion's church in Penns township, Union county, to sell and convey a certain piece of land
Act 117 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act granting compensation to Frederick Foering for services performed as deputy quarter master general of the militia of this Commonwealth
Act 118 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act for the relief of Nicholas Angst, an old soldier
Act 120 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act appropriating a further sum of money for opening and improving the state road from Logan's narrows, in the county of Huntingdon, to the state road leading to Presque Isle
Act 121 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
A further supplement to "An act establishing an academy in the borough of Gettysburg, in the county of Adams, and granting a sum of money thereto - amend - compensation of teachers
Act 122 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act incorporating the subscribers to the Pennsylvania Botanic Garden
Act 123 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise the Governor to incorporate the Wind Gap, Nazareth and Hellerstown turnpike company
Act 124 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise the Governor to incorporate a company to erect a bridge over French creek at the town of Franklin, in Venango county
Act 125 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act for the relief of Frederick Shriver, William Hamson, Elizabeth M'Cullough and Atcheson Mellon
Act 126 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act authorising the recovery of money in the hands of certain commissioners
Act 127 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act authorising William Gilliland, William Kerr and Moses M'Ilvain to sell and convey certain land therein mentioned
Act 128 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise the executors of Jacob Arndt, deceased, in conjunction with John Herster, of the borough of Easton, to convey certain real estate to Philip H. Mattes
Act 129 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to revive and amend an act to incorporate the first Presbyterian congregation of the Big Spring in Newtown township, in Cumberland county
Act 130 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
A further supplement to "An act to regulate the fisheries in the river Susquehanna and its branches - amend - times which it is unlawful to cast or draw
Act 131 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act authorising the trustees of the Low Dutch congregation in Adams county, to sell and convey a certain piece of land
Act 132 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act providing for the compensation to the heirs of Christian Croll, for a tract of land certified to Connecticut claimants, in Salem township, Luzerne county
Act 133 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act authorising the Governor to incorporate a company to make a turnpike road from Berwick, in Columbia county, by the best and nearest route to Williamsport, in Lycoming county
Act 134 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to incorporate the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia
Act 135 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to enable the administrators of Joseph Sturgeon to convey a certain tract of land
Act 136 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
A supplement to "An act provisionally organizing the counties of Potter and M'Kean, and for other purposes - amend - trustees to surrender their trusts to the commissioners; justices to administer oaths to constables
Act 137 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to improve the navigation of the Allegheny river, Conowango creek and French creek
Act 138 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act authorising the Governor to incorporate the Chambersburg Water Company
Act 139 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise the chief burgess, assistant burgess and town council of the borough of Columbia to regulate wharves and landings opposite the said borough
Act 140 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act for the relief of Peter Fricker, an old soldier
Act 141 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
A further supplement to "An act to enable the Governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the Springhouse tavern in Montgomery county, to the borough of Northampton, in the county of Lehigh, and to the town of Bethlehem, in the co
Act 142 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor in the county of Adams
Act 143 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise the sale of certain real estate of the late William Young and Rebecca his wife, of Oxford township, in the county of Philadelphia, deceased
Act 144 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to prevent the practice of wagering or betting on elections
Act 145 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act authorising the Governor to incorporate two companies for making an artificial road from the city of Pittsburg, through Butler and Mercer to Meadville
Act 146 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act authorising the Governor to appoint commissioners on the part of this Commonwealth to view and lay out a state road from Samuel Hills', in Franklin township, Greene county, Pennsylvania, to Middle Island creek, in the state of Virginia
Act 147 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act declaring Lower Chichester creek, in the county of Delaware, and Larry's creek, in the county of Lycoming, public highways
Act 148 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
A further supplement to "An act to incorporate that part of the township of the Northern Liberties lying between the west side of Sixth street and the river Delaware, and between Vine street and Cohocksink creek - amend - payment of the debts contracted b
Act 149 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise the directors of the poor of Bucks county, to convey a certain estate therein mentioned
Act 150 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to vest in Hanna Carrol and her legal representatives, the right of this commonwealth to the estate of Patrick Carrol, late of Londonderry township, in the county of Chester, deceased
Act 151 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
A supplement to "An act authorising the commissioners of the county of Berks to erect a bridge over the river Schuylkill near the town of Reading - amend - toll to be demanded of foot passengers
Act 152 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act confirming the title of John O'Neil and William Alexander, aliens, to certain property therein mentioned
Act 153 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act authorising the Governor to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over Big Beaver, at or near the ferry occupied by Charles Morrow
Act 154 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise the Governor to incorporate the president, managers and company of the Beaver and Greersburg turnpike road
Act 155 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act authorising the Governor to incorporate the Easton Water Company
Act 156 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise John Wormley and Abraham Neidig to build a bridge over the Conedogwinit creek
Act 157 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act establishing Allegheny College, in the township of Mead and county of Crawford
Act 158 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise the Governor to incorporate a company to make a lock navigation on the river Monongahela
Act 159 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to provide for the payment of a balance for enclosing the public ground at Harrisburg
Act 160 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act authorising John May to erect a toll bridge over French creek, in Crawford county
Act 161 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act providing for the payment of the expenses of erecting a bridge over Black Lick creek, at the town of Buela, in Cambria county
Act 162 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to extend the powers of the Gettysburg and Black's tavern turnpike company
Act 163 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to incorporate the Gloucester and Greenwich Point Ferry Company
Act 164 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act making appropriations for certain Internal Improvements
Act 165 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
A further supplement to "An act to authorise the Governor to appoint commissioners for the purpose of laying out a road beginning at or near Kelso's ferry, in Cumberland county, through York and Adams counties, to the Maryland line, in a direction to the
Act 166 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act for the relief of John Fisher, of the borough of Lancaster
Act 167 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act establishing certain election districts
Act 168 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise the sale of certain real estate, late the property of Peter Albert, deceased
Act 169 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act for the relief of Thomas Bingham
Act 170 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act for the relief of the heirs of captain Isaac Seely
Act 171 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act concerning certain released and uncertified lands within the limits of the seventeen townships in Luzerne county
Act 172 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act appropriating money to improve the road across Shade and Black Log mountains, Mifflin county
Act 173 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to authorise the Governor to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the river Lehigh, at the Water Gap, in Northampton county
Act 174 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to revive and continue An act to enable the Governor to incorporate a company to make an artificial road from the Philadelphia and Wilmington post road near John M'Ilvain's, to intersect the Philadelphia, Brandywine and New London turnpike road, on
Act 175 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to suppress tippling houses within the city and county of Philadelphia
Act 176 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act authorising the Governor to incorporate the Washington and Pittsburg turnpike road company
Act 177 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to incorporate an Academy or Public School in the borough of Erie, and for other purposes therein mentioned
Act 178 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act establishing an Academy in the town of Wellsborough, in the county of Tioga
Act 179 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
n act appointing commissioners for settling certain differences this state and the state of New Jersey
Act 180 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act making appropriation to defray certain expenses of government therein mentioned
Act 181 of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
Resolutions
Resolution of 1817 · 1817 · Original text
An act to provide for filling the vacancy in the Office of State Treasurer, occasioned by the resignation of William Findlay, late State Treasurer
Act 1 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act for the relief of Michael Dearmond, an old soldier
Act 2 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act for the appointment of constables in the borough of Greencastle, in Franklin county
Act 3 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act for the benefit of John M. Read, Henry M. Read and Margaret M. Read
Act 4 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act for the relief of Isaac Raymond, an old soldier
Act 5 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act confirming the titles of Jacob Smith, to certain real estate therein mentioned
Act 6 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act supplementary to "An act to confirm and amend the charter of incorporation of the United Swedish Lutheran Churches of Wicaco, Kingsessing and Upper Merion, called Gloria Dei, St. James's, and Christ Church - amend - ground rents
Act 7 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act to vest in Mary Cook the right of this commonwealth to the estate of her husband John Cook, formerly of Chester county, deceased
Act 8 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act to vest in Ann Gibson the right of this commonwealth to the estate of her son Randolph M'Donald, formerly of the city of Philadelphia, deceased
Act 9 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act to vest in Catharine Herman the right of this commonwealth to the estate of Samuel Herman, deceased
Act 10 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act authorising John Shreve, Samuel Coope and Jesse Townsend, administrators of the estate of Jonah Cadwalader, to grant and convey certain real estate
Act 11 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act to enable the administrators of the estate of John Lamb, late of Cumberland county, deceased, to convey certain real estate therein mentioned
Act 12 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act to vest in Sophia Bargman the right of this commonwealth in and to the estate real and personal of her husband John C. Bargman, of Huntingdon county
Act 13 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act to increase the number of constables in the township of Germantown, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 15 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act to authorise the Governor to incorporate the President, Managers and Company of the New Milford and Montrose Turnpike Road
Act 16 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act to enable Christian Cline and John Ditman, administrators of Henry Ditman, deceased, to convey certain real estate
Act 17 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act to authorise John Eisenhard, one of the administrators of the estate of Andrew Eisenhard, late of Lehigh county, deceased, to complete the title of certain real estate therein mentioned
Act 18 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
A supplement to "An act declaring the rivers Codorus and Conewago in the county of York, public highways, and for other purposes therein mentioned - amend - no seine or brush net
Act 19 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act to enable the committee of the estate of Joseph Wharton, a lunatic, to sell and convey the real estate of the said Joseph Wharton
Act 20 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act for the relief of Agnes Crawford, the widow of an old soldier
Act 21 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act to enable James Irwin and William Parks, administrators of the estate of John Christy, late of Allegheny county, deceased, to convey certain real estate therein mentioned
Act 22 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act authorising the Orphans' court of Greene county to decree a sale of the real estate of Jacob Wolmer, deceased
Act 23 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act authorising the Orphans' court of Northampton county to order the executors of Dewalt Albrecht to sell lands
Act 24 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act to enable Mary Benezet to dispose of certain real estate
Act 25 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act to release to Appollonia Hitner the claim of this commonwealth to a certain lot and building in the city of Philadelphia
Act 26 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
An act relating to the Philadelphia society for the establishment and support of Charity schools
Act 27 of 1818 · 1818 · Original text
By decade
Constitution of 18741874–1967
Constitution of 17761776–1789
- 1780s 567
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.