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.
2,121 laws of the 1830s
Constitution of 1790
Act enabling the Governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the state line near the town of Emmetsburg, in the state of Maryland, through Waynesburg, Green Castle and Mercersburg, to intersect the Chambersburg and Bedford
Act Act 0006 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
For the relief of Simon Krewson, a soldier of the revolution
Act Act 0007 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
For the relief of Andrew Shuster, a soldier, and Susanna Nolf, the widow of a soldier of the revolutionary war
Act Act 0008 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
For the relief of Jacob Schneider, a soldier of the revolutionary war
Act Act 0009 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising a temporary loan for the payment of the contracts for the Pennsylvania canal and rail-road
Act Act 0010 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To incorporate the town of Conemaugh, in Cambria county, into a borough
Act Act 0011 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act to reform the penal laws of this Commonwealth - amend - power of inspectors of prisons; convict to exhibit schedules of property
Act Act 0012 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To authorise the Governor to incorporate a company for making a turnpike road from the Lackawaxen turnpike, at or near the farm of Daniel Buntings, by the Glass Factory to the new road from Bethany to Honesdale, at or near the farm of widow Thomas, in
Act Act 0013 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the West Branch of the Susquehanna river, at the town of Clearfield
Act Act 0014 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising Jacob Nittz, senior, of Westmoreland county, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act Act 0015 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act to prevent the fishing with seines in certain streams of water, and to increase the penalty for fishing in the river Susquehanna on days prohibited by law, and for other purposes - repeal - as relates to Penns creek
Act Act 0017 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
For the relief of sundry soldiers, and Susanna Morgan, the widow of a soldier of the revolutionary war
Act Act 0018 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising John Baughman and Jacob Fisher, as trustees, to carry into effect the last will and testament of Peter Baughman, of North Huntingdon township, in the county of Westmoreland, so far as relates to building a school house, and receiving certain
Act Act 0019 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act erecting the village of Fallston, in the county of Beaver, into a borough - amend - borough separated from Brighton township; supervisor to superintend borough election
Act Act 0020 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To confer on Elizabeth Strauch, the rights and benefits of a child born in lawful wedlock
Act Act 0021 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven rail-road company - amend - increase stock; number of managers; additional tolls; make extensions
Act Act 0022 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Supplementary to an act, and a supplement to said act, authorising the executor of the last will and testament of James Anderson, deceased, to sell real estate
Act Act 0023 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To incorporate a company to make a turnpike road from the Abington and Waterford turnpike, at or near the bridge of Tunkhannock creek, to Carbondale
Act Act 0024 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To revive and continue in force the several acts of assembly incorporating the town of Birmingham, in the county of Huntingdon
Act Act 0025 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Reviving an act incorporating the borough of Waynesburg, and changing the name thereof to Waynesboro'
Act Act 0026 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Altering the time of holding township elections, in the township of Harmony, Susquehanna county
Act Act 0027 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act to erect the town of Mechanicsburg, in the county of Cumberland, into a borough - amend - electors to choose 3 assessors and 5 persons for town council; court of appeal from borough tax
Act Act 0028 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act authorising the Governor to incorporate the Susquehanna and Delaware canal and rail-road company - amend - additional commissioners; extension and termination of canal or rail-road; may use inclined planes
Act Act 0029 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising Aaron Gregg, under the direction of the court of common pleas of the county of Greene, to execute a deed to Thomas Fletcher, for a lot of land, in said county
Act Act 0031 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To erect the village of Honesdale, in the county of Wayne, into a borough
Act Act 0032 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act to authorise the Governor to incorporate the Dundaff and Tunkhannock and other turnpike road companies, and for other purposes - amend - extension of time; additional commissioners
Act Act 0033 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
For the relief of the New Holland turnpike road company
Act Act 0034 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To change the name of Thomas Wood Abbott to Thomas Abbott Wood
Act Act 0035 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
For the relief of Philip Weitzel and Henry Black, soldiers of the revolution
Act Act 0036 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act to regulate the inspection of flour in certain western counties of the state - amend - extended to flour manufactured within the said counties
Act Act 0037 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act for the better employment, relief and support of the poor, in the township of Germantown, in the county of Philadelphia - amend - managers chosen; filling vacancies
Act Act 0038 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Relative to the circuit court and court of quarter sessions of Lancaster county
Act Act 0039 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
For the relief of John Daily, Samuel Kline, Dewalt Lynn and Jacob Wingler, revolutionary soldiers
Act Act 0040 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To exempt from taxation the hall, with the lot of ground whereon it is erected, of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia
Act Act 0041 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Concerning the heirs of Richard Wistar, the elder, deceased
Act Act 0042 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act to extend the charter of the Washington and Bedford turnpike road companies - amend - time for completion extended
Act Act 0043 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To incorporate the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown rail road company
Act Act 0044 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Concerning the acknowledgement of sheriffs' and coroners' deeds in certain cases
Act Act 0045 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To authorise the Governor to incorporate the president, managers and company of the Armstrong and Clearfield turnpike road company
Act Act 0046 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising the sale of certain real estate
Act Act 0047 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising the commissioners of Berks county to purchase certain lands to make a public road or street
Act Act 0048 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act authorising certain commissioners to view and lay out certain state roads - amend - certain proceedings annulled; pay of commissioners
Act Act 0049 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act for the recovery of debts and demands not exceeding one hundred dollars - repeal - as respects the county of Greene
Act Act 0050 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act for the removal of obstructions from certain navigable streams in the counties of Huntingdon and Centre - amend - extended to Penns creek, Union county
Act Act 0051 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act authorising the Governor to incorporate the Lick Run rail road and coal company, in Lycoming county - amend - legislature may resume privileges
Act Act 0052 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To extend the charter of the Mechanics' bank of the city and county of Philadelphia
Act Act 0053 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising the Governor to incorporate the West Chester rail-road company
Act Act 0054 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act authorising the Governor to incorporate a company to make an artificial road, commencing where the Schuylkill canal road intersects the Ridge turnpike road, near Robinson's mill, thence along the bed of said road to the Flat Rock bridge - amend - make
Act Act 0055 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To extend the charter of the "Farmers' bank of Reading"
Act Act 0056 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising the Governor to incorporate a company for making a turnpike road from the borough of Muncy, through Hillsgrove and Eldredville, in Lycoming county, to intersect the Berwick and Newtown turnpike, at or near Towanda creek , in Monroe township,
Act Act 0057 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising William Sill and Joseph M. Bishop, of Bradford county, to erect a dam in the river Susquehanna
Act Act 0058 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To erect the town of Mercersburg, in the county of Franklin, into a borough
Act Act 0059 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To compel the attendance of witnesses upon rules and commissions to take depositions
Act Act 0060 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising compensation to Jacob S. Spang and David Sink, for damages done by certain state roads
Act Act 0061 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Enabling Eliza Gardiner to execute certain powers without the intervention of her present husband
Act Act 0062 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising the executors of Peter Beisel, deceased, to convey certain real estate
Act Act 0063 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act authorising the supervisors of East Huntington township, in Westmoreland county, to assess and collect certain taxes - amend - duty of court or arbitrators
Act Act 0064 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Acts incorporating a company to make a turnpike road from the northern termination of the York and Conewago turnpike road, to the west end of the Harrisburg bridge - amend - time extended
Act Act 0065 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To extend the charter of the Commercial bank of Pennsylvania
Act Act 0066 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Erecting all that part of Mifflin county, south and east of the Black Log and Shade mountains, into a separate county, to the called Juniata
Act Act 0067 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To incorporate a company for making a turnpike road from the Milford and Owego turnpike, about two miles west of Appollos Davis', upon Cherry Ridge, in Wayne county, through Wagener's Gap, to the Carbondale and Blakely turnpike road, near Decker's mill, i
Act Act 0068 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising the election and appointment of an additional constable in Earl township, and repealing a law authorising the election and appointment of an additional constable, in Warwick township, Lancaster county
Act Act 0069 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To incorporate the Union Harmony Burial company of Kensington, in the county of Philadelphia
Act Act 0070 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Concerning the real estate of John Smiley, deceased
Act Act 0071 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising the election of an additional constable for the township of Buffaloe, in the county of Armstrong
Act Act 0072 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To authorise the Governor to incorporate the president, managers and company of the Dundaff and Honesdale turnpike road
Act Act 0073 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To authorise the Governor to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the river Susquehanna, at the borough of Towanda, the seat of justice, in the county of Bradford
Act Act 0074 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To incorporate the town of Bloomfield, in the county of Perry, into a borough
Act Act 0075 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To authorise the Governor to incorporate a company for the purpose of erecting a permanent bridge over the river Conemaugh, at Saltsburg, in Indiana county, at or near the point at the mouth of the Loyalhanna creek, in Westmoreland county
Act Act 0076 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To authorise the directors of the poor and of the house of employment for the counties of Cliester and Montgomery, to administer oaths and make examinations in certain cases
Act Act 0077 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
For the relief of Jacob Booz, and Eberhard Ohl, soldiers of the revolutionary war
Act Act 0078 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
For the relief of Christian Riblet, a soldier of the revolution
Act Act 0079 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising William E. Lehman, of the city of Philadelphia, to sell and convey certain real estate, or to lease the same of any part thereof, on ground rent
Act Act 0080 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To legitimate the children of David Owen, by Orilla Bennett, of the county of Bradford
Act Act 0081 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act appointing commissioners to run and mark certain lines, dividing the counties of Lebanon and Dauphin - amend - John Harrison to supply place of John Weidman, deceased
Act Act 0082 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act appointing commissioners to run the lines of the counties of Lycoming, Bradford and Tioga - amend - pay of commissioners, governor to supply future vacancies
Act Act 0083 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act to incorporate the town of Columbia, in the county of Lancaster - amend - corporation to borrow $6,000
Act Act 0084 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Acts authorising religious societies, within the city and liberties of Philadelphia, to extend and fasten chains across the streets, during the time of divine service - repeal
Act Act 0085 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act to incorporate the borough of Muncy, in Lycoming county - amend - borough boundaries, election of council; application for damages
Act Act 0086 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To encourage the destruction of foxes and wild cats, in the counties of Warren, Potter, and Greene, and supplementary to an act, entitled A further supplement to an act to encourage the killing of crows and squirrels, in certain parts of this Commonwealth
Act Act 0087 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
For the relief of Christian King, a soldier of the revolutionary war
Act Act 0088 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To enable George Dearth, of Fayette county, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act Act 0089 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To incorporate the American Insurance Company of Philadelphia
Act Act 0090 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising the Governor to incorporate the Washington and Pittsburg rail-road company
Act Act 0091 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To authorise the Governor to incorporate the Hummelstown, Middletown and Portsmouth turnpike road company
Act Act 0092 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Providing for the payment of auditors for settling the accounts of the Eastern and Western Penitentiaries
Act Act 0093 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To incorporate the Little Schuylkill and Susquehanna rail-road company
Act Act 0094 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To erect the town of New Cumberland, in the county of Cumberland, into a borough
Act Act 0095 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising the laying out a state road from the ferry, on the Ohio river, opposite the town of Economy, in the county of Beaver, to intersect the roads leading from Frankford and Georgetown, to Pittsburg, at the village of Clinton, in the county of Alleg
Act Act 0096 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising the Governor to incorporate the Hydraulic company of the borough of Berwick
Act Act 0097 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Incorporating the towns of Lawrenceville and Covington, in Tioga county
Act Act 0098 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising the laying out a state road from the junction of the Philadelphia and Great Bend, and Easton and Belmont turnpike roads, in the county of Pike, to the public road leading from Priceburg to the Delaware Water Gap, in the county of Northampton -
Act Act 0099 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act relative to the patenting of lands - amend - extended one year; payments in advance on mortgages
Act Act 0100 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Changing the time of holding the elections of the New Alexandria and Conemaugh, and New Alexandria and Pittsburg turnpike road company
Act Act 0101 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Act for the regulation of the militia of this commonwealth - amend - as relates to the Union Greys, of Wrightsville, in York county
Act Act 0102 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Supplement to the act to compel assignees to settle their accounts, and for other purposes - amend - appoint appraisers; duties and compensation of appraisers; settlement of accounts of assigners
Act Act 0103 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To continue the improvement of the state by canals and rail-roads
Act Act 0104 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
To incorporate "The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society"
Act Act 0105 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorising the Governor to incorporate the Robbstown bridge company
Act Act 0106 of 1831 · 1831 · Original text
Authorizing the laying out of a state road from the mouth of Larries creek, in Lycoming county, by the way of Wellsborough, Tioga county, to the New York state line, at or near Lawrenceville, in said county
Act Act 0107 of 1831 · 1831 · 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.