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.
1,683 laws of the 1820s
Constitution of 1790
An act authorising the Governor to procure forty thousand dollars on loan
Act 1 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act to organise the provisional county of Warren for judicial purposes" - amend - commissioners to collect all taxes; account of monies
Act 2 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act making appropriation and provision for carrying into effect the erection of a bridge over Bald Eagle creek, in the county of Lycoming - amend - supervisors to give notice; justices of the peace to pay over fines; penalty for drivin
Act 3 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act for the relief of Silver Lake Bank
Act 4 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act vesting in Jane Shaw a certain escheated estate therein mentioned
Act 5 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising the guardians of the minor children of Henry Crouse, deceased, to sell part of his real estate
Act 6 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A further supplement to "An Act to enable the Governor of this Commonwealth to incorporate a company for making an artificial road, by the best and nearest route from Waterford, in the county of Erie, through Meadville and Franklin, to the river
Act 7 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising a compensation to Thomas Croyle, for erecting a bridge in Cambria county
Act 8 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act for the sale of certain islands in the river Susquehanna - amend - application may be made for a part of Bare's island; pre-emption right
Act 9 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to revive and continue "An act to encourage the warranting and patenting of lands, north and west of the rivers Ohio, Allegheny and Conewango creek," and for other purposes
Act 10 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An Act for the relief of Insolvent Debtors" - amend - petitioner for benefit of insolvent laws entitled to same privileges as though in confinement; order of discharge; fraudulent collusion
Act 11 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act for the relief of Thomas Smiley
Act 12 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising the transmission of the Laws of this Commonwealth to the Government of the United States
Act 13 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to extend and continue for a limited time the act to enable the Governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from Jersey shore, in the county of Lycoming, to Coudersport, in the county of Potter
Act 14 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to enable George Murray, Gideon Fairman, John Draper, Robert Bald and Thomas Underwood, co-partners, in the firm of Murray, Fairman and company, engravers, of the city of Philadelphia, to dispose of certain books, maps, plates and prints by way of
Act 15 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act for the relief of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
Act 16 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A further supplement to "An act to regulate the payment of costs on indictments - amend - prosecutor shall pay the costs
Act 17 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act for the relief of Redemptioners
Act 18 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising the Governor to incorporate the president, managers and company of the Warfordsburg and Juniata turnpike road, in the county of Bedford
Act 19 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act against horse racing
Act 20 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act for the relief of Jane Godfrey
Act 21 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act directing the mode of selecting and returning Jurors - amend - powers of courts of common pleas and quarter sessions
Act 22 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act prescribing the competency of witnesses under penal acts of Assembly
Act 23 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to encourage the apprehension of persons who shall have committed the crime of horse stealing
Act 24 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising Michael Newman and Peter Winebrenner, trustees of the German reformed congregation of the borough of Hanover, in the county of York, to sell and convey a certain lot of ground therein mentioned
Act 25 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising the election of additional constables in different townships of this commonwealth
Act 26 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act directing the recorder of deeds for the county of Westmoreland, to put a certain deed upon record
Act 27 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act incorporating the Presbyterian Congregation of Salem, in Derry township, in the county of Westmoreland - amend - elect three trustees
Act 28 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act appointing commissioners for exploring a route for opening a direct communication from the town of Milford, in the county of Pike, to the borough of Wilkesbarre, in the county of Luzerne - amend - acts of two commissioners confirme
Act 29 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to authorise John Agnew and others, guardians of their minor children to sell and convey certain real estate in Washington county
Act 30 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to incorporate the president, managers and company of the Luzerne and Wayne county turnpike road
Act 31 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act for the relief of Peter Gordon, an old soldier
Act 32 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to authorise the president, managers and company, for erecting a bridge over the Susquehanna river, in the county of Lancaster, at or near the town of Columbia, to recover debts due to them and for other purposes
Act 33 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to annul the marriage of John Culbertson and Polly his wife
Act 34 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act reducing the number of Directors of the Mechanics' Bank of the city and county of Philadelphia
Act 35 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act for the relief of certain owners of real estate in the district of Southwark, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 36 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to vacate part of a state road laid out in pursuance of "An act authorising the Governor to appoint commissioners to lay out a state road from the borough of Marietta, in Lancaster county, to intersect the Middletown and Harrisburgh turnpike road
Act 37 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act to incorporate an academy or public school in the town of Waterford, and for other purposes therein mentioned - amend - trustees to sell 500 acres of land; proceeds to be vested for the use of academy
Act 38 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act to establish a board of wardens for the port of Philadelphia, and for the regulation of pilots and pilotages, and for other purposes therein mentioned - amend - ships liable for inward pilotage; manner of recovering debts under a f
Act 39 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to contribute to the relief of sufferers by the late fire in the city of Savannah, in the state of Georgia
Act 40 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act to incorporate the city of Lancaster - amend - jurisdiction of mayor's court extended; appeals tried by jury; transfer pending appeals to mayor's court
Act 41 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to annul the marriage of John Melish and Jane his wife
Act 42 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act for the relief of John Pyler
Act 43 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act relative to the owners and drivers of public stages and other carriages for the conveyance of passengers, and for other purposes
Act 44 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to annul the marriage of Samuel Moorhead and Sarah his wife
Act 45 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act declaring Stony Creek a public highway
Act 46 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act for the relief of the Georges creek trading company, in the county of Fayette
Act 47 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A further supplement to "An act to improve the navigation of the river Delaware - amend - 3 dollars per day to viewers
Act 48 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act to afford immediate relief to John Huton, a soldier in the revolutionary war, and to grant him an annuity - amend - State Treasurer to pay annuity
Act 49 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act for taking lands in execution for payment of debts" - amend - inquest on lands may be dispensed with by defendant
Act 50 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act for the promotion of agriculture and domestic manufactures
Act 51 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to incorporate the Kensington district of the Northern Liberties
Act 52 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to incorporate the president, directors and company of "The Pennsylvania and New-Jersey communication company
Act 53 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to incorporate the Pittsburg Manufacturing Association
Act 54 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act to incorporate the Kensington district of the Northern Liberties" - amend - first election for commissioners
Act 55 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act in aid of the act for making the turnpike roads from Susquehanna to Waterford, and from Northumberland to Anderson's creek
Act 56 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act, to re-annex part of Mifflin county to the county of Union - amend - division line of Mifflin and Union; Hagenberg's line to continue
Act 57 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising the Governor to appoint commissioners to view the ground from the west end of the Harrisburg bridge to the river Juniata, at or near Millerstown
Act 58 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to increase the number of constables, in Washington and Cumberland counties
Act 59 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act allowing mileage to jurors, and for other purposes
Act 60 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to authorise the corporation of the city of Philadelphia, to regulate the ascents and descents of Callowhill street, in the township of Penn, and county of Philadelphia
Act 61 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A further supplement to "An act, for laying out, making and keeping in repair the public roads and highways within this Commonwealth, and for laying out private roads - amend - state road may be vacated
Act 62 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising the Governor to procure sixty thousand dollars on loan
Act 63 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising a partition of the real estate of George Bryan, Esquire, late of the city of Philadelphia, deceased, and for other purposes
Act 64 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising the appointment of an additional Auctioneer for the city of Pittsburg
Act 65 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act confirming the title of Jacob Barncord, of Franklin county, to a certain house and lot therein mentioned
Act 66 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising William Scott, of Mercer county, guardian of the minor children of Benjamin Lodge, deceased, to convey certain lands therein mentioned
Act 67 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act erecting part of Cumberland county, into a separate county to be called Perry
Act 68 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to authorise Hugh Means to sell a tract of land belonging to the heirs of Thomas Woods, deceased
Act 69 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act affixing certain lien on real estate in the district of Southwark and township of Moyamensing
Act 70 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act directing the recovery of the principal and interest due to the Commonwealth from persons holding lands by virtue of locations or other office titles, issued from or under the proprietary government, and for other purposes
Act 71 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An Act, to appoint commissioners to regulate the streets, lanes and alleys in the district of Southwark, and to lay out new streets, lanes and alleys therein, for the accommodation of the inhabitants, and to lay out roads therein
Act 72 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to prevent kidnapping
Act 73 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act to incorporate the town of Columbia, in the county of Lancaster" - amend - powers of chief burgess
Act 74 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to legalise and make valid the official proceedings of George Brown, a justice of the peace of Adams county
Act 75 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act for the relief of Cornelius Vanhorn, administrator of Thomas Vanhorn
Act 76 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to incorporate the Trustees of the Fire Association of Philadelphia
Act 77 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to provide for the erection of an additional court, within the city and county of Lancaster
Act 78 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to authorise an assignment of the concerns of the Philadelphia and Pittsburg transporting company
Act 79 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising the commissioners of the county of Philadelphia to erect a permanent bridge over the Cohocsink creek, in the township of the Northern Liberties
Act 80 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to incorporate the president, managers and company of the Wilsonsville turnpike road
Act 81 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to authorise the commissioners of Franklin county to sell and convey so much of the ground lately purchased for the erection of a new jail, as remains unoccupied
Act 82 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to exempt the volunteer corps of republican artillerists of Chester county, from training on the days now fixed by law, and for other purposes
Act 83 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act to provide for the erection of a State Penitentiary on the public land adjoining the town of Allegheny, opposite Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny, and for other purposes - amend - commissioners empowered to purchase certain
Act 84 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to extend the time for completing the Milford and Owego turnpike road, and to add additional commissioners to the Northampton and Wilkesbarre turnpike road
Act 85 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act relative to certain State Roads therein mentioned
Act 86 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A further supplement to "An act to regulate the Fisheries in the river Delaware, and for other purposes - amend - Pennsylvania assents to the act of New Jersey
Act 87 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A further supplement to "An act for laying out, making and keeping in repair the public roads and highways within this Commonwealth, and for laying out private roads - amend - supervisors may extend the road tax
Act 88 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to authorise the Auditor General to settle and adjust the accounts of the Treasurers and Managers of the Susquehanna Lottery
Act 89 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act for the relief of the heirs of Ezekiel Sanky, an old soldier
Act 90 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising James Barton, his heirs or assigns, to convey water into the town of Milford, in Pike county
Act 91 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act to incorporate the city of Philadelphia - amend - compensation of the Recorder of the city of Philadelphia
Act 92 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A supplement to "An act to raise by way of Lottery a sum of money to enable the trustees of the Protestant Episcopal congregation of the borough of Lancaster, to repair their steeple and house of worship - amend - commissioners to complete the drawing; if
Act 93 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
A further supplement to "An act providing for the erection of a State Capitol" - amend - columns to be of hewn stone; 15,000 dollars appropriated; third instalment reduced
Act 94 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act altering the times of holding the Courts in the Fifth Judicial District
Act 95 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act to revive certain acts in relation to the Lock Navigation of the waters of Brandywine creek
Act 96 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising the Governor to incorporate the President, Managers and Company of the Connemaugh Bridge Company
Act 97 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act supplementary to "An act, to raise by way of lottery, a sum of money for the purchase of a Burial Ground for the Society of Universalists in the city of Philadelphia, and to pay a debt by them contracted in the building a house, for Public Worship,
Act 98 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act relative to mortgages
Act 99 of 1820 · 1820 · Original text
An act authorising Elizabeth Henderson, administratrix of William Henderson, late of Montgomery county, deceased, to sell and convey real estate
Act 100 of 1820 · 1820 · 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.