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.
3,241 laws of the 1840s
Constitution of 1838
Act authorizing the governor to incorporate the Northampton water company - amend - extend pipes and dispose of water
Act 181 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act relative to an old pier in the Delaware river - amend - commissioners of Fayette county; time for construction extended
Act 182 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the Northern Liberties gas company
Act 183 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Conferring power to incorporate into boroughs, two villages in Butler county
Act 184 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Kensington gas company - amend - share of stock
Act 185 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act authorizing the conveyance of certain real estate - amend - correct an error
Act 186 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relating to the pilotage of armed vessels on the Delaware bay and river
Act 187 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Providing means for the repair of the Warren and Ridgeway turnpike road, and for other purposes
Act 188 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To reduce the capital stock of the Manufacturers' and Mechanics' Bank of the Northern Liberties, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 189 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing the canal commissioners to examine and adjust the claim of Mercy Bennett
Act 190 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the commissioners of Philadelphia county to issue certificates of county loan, and to vacate certain streets
Act 191 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to enable aliens to purchase and hold real estate in this commonwealth - amend - title confirmed; certain sales made valid
Act 192 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To pay Richard Durbin for work done in securing property belonging to the commonwealth
Act 193 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to authorize the governor to incorporate the president, managers, and company of the Armstrong and Clearfield turnpike road company - amend - completion extended
Act 194 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To legalize a certain deed of conveyance from the trustees of Mathias Berndheisel, of Lebanon county
Act 195 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to the real estate of Joseph Wigfield, late of Bedford county, deceased
Act 196 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor, in the county of Beaver
Act 197 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing the governor to incorporate a company to erect a bridge over Oil creek, in Venango county
Act 198 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize Thomas Hoopes to sell certain real estate of Caleb M'Fann, deceased
Act 199 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Mutual beneficial insurance association of Bucks county, against losses by fire, and for other purposes - amend - effect insurances
Act 200 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the Methodist Episcopal congregation at Willardsburg, in the county of Tioga
Act 201 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
For the relief of R.C. Newport
Act 202 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relating to the docket of James Singer, late a justice of the peace, in the county of Clearfield
Act 203 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to roads in the township of Birmingham, Chester county
Act 204 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Better to establish part of the line between the counties of Fayette and Somerset
Act 205 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing the auditor general to settle the claim of the Columbia Bank and Bridge company
Act 206 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the president and managers of the Feasterville and Bridgetown turnpike road company
Act 207 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of Jose Antonio Arbelo and Maria Arbelo
Act 208 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act authorizing the governor to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the Allegheny river, opposite Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny - amend - annual elections; erecting a bridge over the Monongahela river
Act 209 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the governor to incorporate the president, managers and company of the Richborough and Feasterville turnpike road company
Act 210 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the East Liberty turnpike road company
Act 211 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To change the names of certain persons therein named
Act 212 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the Blossburg coal company
Act 213 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to culverts in the district of Kensington, county of Philadelphia, and for other purposes
Act 214 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to establish a new judicial district, composed of the counties of Schuylkill, Carbon and Monroe - amend - writs in Schuylkill county court
Act 215 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract between Augustine Neale and Juliet Ann, his wife
Act 216 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To change the name of the National Rangers, and for other purposes
Act 217 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize Samuel Moore, of Rochester township, in the county of Beaver, to erect a wharf on the Ohio river
Act 218 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to enable the governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road, beginning at the intersection of Vine and Tenth streets, Philadelphia, and thence to Perkiomen bridge, in the county of Montgomery - amend - Ridge turnpike company; tolls
Act 219 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Confirming titles held by assignees and trustees for the benefit of creditors
Act 220 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Concerning certain state and turnpike roads
Act 221 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the Falls of Schuylkill bridge company over the river Schuylkill, at said falls
Act 222 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to certain volunteer companies therein named
Act 223 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To change the name of the Lafayette Riflemen to Landisburg Artillery, and for other purposes
Act 224 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of Cornelius Baskins, and Martha, his wife
Act 225 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the construction of a bridge to connect Fort Mifflin, with the main land, and for other purposes
Act 226 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To change the name of the volunteer corps of Union Rangers, of Bucks county, and for other purposes
Act 227 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To confirm the title to a certain lot of ground situate in the township of Moyamensing, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 228 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To attach the farm of W.W. Caldwell, in White township, Indiana county, to the borough of Indiana, for school purposes
Act 229 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To release the claim of the commonwealth from a certain estate of Elizabeth Roney, deceased, daughter of Amy Roney, deceased, in favor of the heirs and legal representatives of said Amy Roney
Act 230 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to the claims of Hugh and P. M'Ginly, of Northumberland county
Act 231 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing the laying out of certain state roads, and for other purposes
Act 232 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to extend the charter of the Bank of Delaware County, and for other purposes - amend - provisions of the charter of the Bank of Montgomery County extended to the Bank of Delaware County
Act 233 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To view and lay out a road from the village of East Brook, Mercer county, to the west end of White's bridge, across the Shenango, in Beaver county, and for other purposes
Act 234 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Incorporating
Act 235 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To extend the time of commencing the New Hope, Doylestown and Norristown railroad
Act 236 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing the town council of the borough of Pottstown, to widen High street, in said borough
Act 237 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the Mutual insurance company of Schuylkill county
Act 238 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the Mutual life insurance company of Philadelphia
Act 239 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relating to common schools in West Chester and Schuylkill township, Chester county
Act 240 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporating the Russelburg woolen manufacturing company in Warren county
Act 241 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the Maiden creek academy, in Berks county
Act 242 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing the governor to incorporate the Old Fort and Spruce Creek turnpike road company
Act 243 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor, in the county of Luzerne
Act 244 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the opening of certain drains in the county of Dauphin
Act 245 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to the streets and alleys in the village of Newburg, Cumberland county, and for other purposes
Act 246 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the governor to incorporate the Lock Haven turnpike road company, in Clinton county
Act 247 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To validate and confirm the acknowledgments of certain deeds taken and certified by John Becker, Esquire, a justice of the peace of York county
Act 248 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To validate and confirm the acknowledgments of certain deeds taken and certified by John Becker, Esquire, a justice of the peace of York county
Act 249 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relating to the Logansville school district in Greene township, Clinton county, and for other purposes
Act 250 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
For the relief of Jacob B. Garber
Act 251 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Changing the boundary lines of the borough of Martinsburg, in the county of Bedford
Act 252 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the Allegheny cemetery, in Allegheny county
Act 253 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the members of the congregation known by the name of "the United Brethren in Christ," in the borough of York
Act 254 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the directors of the Marine Insurance company of Philadelphia to wind up and settle the affairs of the company, and distribute the assets among the stockholders
Act 255 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the White Haven Lehigh bridge company
Act 256 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the White Haven Lehigh bridge company
Act 256 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the burgess and town council of the borough of Hollidaysburg to borrow money, and for other purposes
Act 257 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To regulate the speed of locomotive engines on the Philadelphia and Reading railroad, within the limits of the borough of Reading
Act 258 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
For the removal of causes from the district court of the counties of Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Venango and Warren, to the courts of the common pleas
Act 259 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the borough of Conneautville, in the county of Crawford
Act 260 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing the conveyance of certain real estate situate in the district of Southwark and county of Philadelphia, and for other purposes
Act 261 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing the state treasurer to pay Robert Moderwell and the heirs of John Cameron, deceased, the sum of eighty dollars due them
Act 262 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To divide the borough of Washington, in the county of Lancaster, into two wards
Act 263 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to authorize the governor to incorporate a company to make a lock navigation on the river Monongahela - amend - make amends for damages done; erection of dams on any of the branches or tributaries of said river
Act 264 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the governor to incorporate the Fishing creek, Swatara and Schuylkill railroad company
Act 265 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to authorize the governor to incorporate the Philadelphia and Reading railroad company - amend - agents; stockholders' acceptation
Act 266 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to consolidate and amend the several acts relative to a general system of education by common schools - amend - witnesses; certificates; non-accepting districts; tax; suits against school directors
Act 267 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act concerning a certain trial for murder in Cambria county - amend - power of judge of the supreme court; record certified
Act 268 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To reduce the expenses of the militia system of this commonwealth, and provide a more rigid mode for the collection of militia fines
Act 269 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To compensate Archibald Thompson, for services in arresting and convicting certain incendiaries
Act 270 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
For the relief of the estate of Henderson Hall, late of Beaver County, deceased
Act 271 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act appropriating certain unexpended money for the improvement of the state road, leading from Stroudsburg to Bartonsville, in the county of Monroe, and for other purposes - amend - Bellefonte, Aaronsburg and Youngmanstown turnpike road company;
Act 272 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to the election of constables in the counties of Warren and Cambria, and for other purposes
Act 273 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Providing that the treasurers of Lycoming and Schuylkill counties shall receive a fixed salary, and regulating fees in certain cases, and for other purposes
Act 274 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the town council of the borough of Williamsport, in the county of Lycoming, to appoint overseers of the poor
Act 275 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the "Lehigh county bank"
Act 276 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To enable the burgesses, high constable and common council of the borough of Bristol, in Bucks county, to lease for a term of years, to the Philadelphia and Trenton railroad company, or other persons, a part of Market street, between Wood street and the
Act 277 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
For the benefit of William Parks, Jr., Amos Garwood and John Wilkins
Act 278 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To extend the charter of the Commercial bank of Pennsylvania
Act 279 of 1844 · 1844 · 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.