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
Authorizing the chief burgess and town council of the borough of Pinegrove, in the county of Schuylkill, to build a lock-up house in said borough
Act 280 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to the Mount Carbon railroad company
Act 281 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act authorizing the governor to incorporate the North Branch canal company - amend - commencement and completion extended
Act 282 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To confer on certain persons therein named, the rights and benefits of children born in lawful wedlock
Act 283 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the borough of Prompton, in the county of Wayne
Act 284 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing the canal commissioners to settle the damages sustained by Henry L. Patterson, on the Allegheny Portage railroad
Act 285 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relating to school districts, in county of Washington
Act 286 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the borough of Woodcock, in the county of Crawford
Act 287 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act changing the name of East Strasburg township, in the county of Lancaster, to that of Paradise
Act 288 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Further supplement to an act to authorize the governor to incorporate a company to make a lock navigation on the river Schuylkill - amend - time extended
Act 289 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
For the relief of Catharine Shaw, and others, soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian wars
Act 290 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To establish the boundary lines between the counties of Mifflin, Juniata and Union
Act 291 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
For the relief of Ann Huston, widow of a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and other purposes
Act 292 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act erecting parts of Jefferson, Clearfield and M'Kean counties into a separate county, to be called Elk - amend - writs; suits; mortgages and judgments
Act 293 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 Mifflin
Act 294 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the governor to incorporate the Shamokin, Mahanoy and Schuylkill railroad company
Act 295 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the purchase, mortgage and sale of certain real estate
Act 296 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate "The French Society of Mutual Assistance"
Act 297 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act incorporating a company to erect a bridge over Stoney creek, at Johnstown, in Cambria county - amend - managers; dividends
Act 298 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Regulating the streets in the town of Callensburg, in the county of Clarion
Act 299 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the commissioners of M'Kean county to borrow money
Act 300 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To change the venue in a certain action now pending in the court of common pleas of Lehigh county, to Berks county
Act 301 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the burgesses and assistant burgesses of the borough of West Chester, to levy and collect a protection tax
Act 302 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the governor to incorporate the president, managers and company of the Donegal and Hempfield turnpike road company
Act 303 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the Spring Garden gas company
Act 304 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act authorizing the governor to incorporate the West Chester railroad company - amend - tolls on state road; canal commissioners; authority to attach to locomotives on state road
Act 305 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to authorize the governor to incorporate the Milesburg and Smethport turnpike road company - amend - election; tolls; managers of sections
Act 306 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to the records of Wyoming county
Act 307 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the governor to incorporate the Franklin canal company
Act 308 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to vest in Amelia Mathews a certain escheated estate, and for the sale and conveyance of certain real estate - amend - German Lutheran congregation near Philadelphia, to sell ground rents
Act 309 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the Schuylkill fishing company, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 310 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Furnace run coal and iron company
Act 311 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Providing for the sale and conveyance of a school house in Morris township, in Huntingdon county
Act 312 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing and requiring John Boucher and Solomon Boucher, executors of Henry Boucher, deceased, to pay over certain money to Magdalena Tedrow
Act 313 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the incorporation of a company to erect a bridge over the Susquehanna river at or near Liverpool, Perry county
Act 314 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To confirm the marriage of Mary Bergin and Timothy Bergin, and confer upon their children the rights of legitimacy
Act 315 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relating to a certain action pending in the court of common pleas of the city and county of Philadelphia, and relative to special courts in the county of Mifflin
Act 316 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To extend the charter of the Monongahela bank of Brownsville
Act 317 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To reduce the state debt, and to incorporate the Pennsylvania canal and railroad company
Act 318 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act authorizing the laying out of certain state roads, and for other purposes - amend - state road in Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, and Bedford counties
Act 319 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To exempt certain charitable institutions, in the county of Philadelphia, from taxation
Act 320 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the treasurer of Monroe county to pay over certain road and school taxes to the supervisors and school directors of Jackson township, in said county
Act 321 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To confer on Ellen, daughter of Clarissa, wife of James E. Brooks, the name of Ellen Brooks, and also the rights and privileges of a child born after the marriage of the said Clarissa and James E. Brooks
Act 322 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To change the name of the Plymouth Rifle Greens, in the county of Luzerne, to the Kingston Monument Guards, to be recognized as light infantry
Act 323 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the proprietors of the Norwich markets, in Callowhill street, to transfer the same to the corporate authorities of the Northern Liberties district, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 324 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing H.J. Huidekoper of Meadville, in the county of Crawford, to erect a dam and take water from French creek, below the feeder dam at Bemus's, for the use of his mills
Act 325 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the conveyance of certain real estate
Act 326 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relating to the public highways of East Nottingham township and West Nottingham township, in the county of Chester, and for other purposes
Act 327 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing the heirs of Jacob Scharadin to redeem certain lands sold for taxes
Act 328 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relating to the sale of unseated lands in Clinton county
Act 329 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
For the relief of Benjamin Hutchison, of the county of Philadelphia
Act 330 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act relating to executions - amend - service; oath in bill of discovery
Act 331 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Laying a tax on dogs in the borough of Johnstown, in the county of Cambria
Act 332 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
For the relief of John Smith and J.S. Clarkson
Act 333 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the executors of the last will and testament of John Crossthwaite, late of Centre county, or their legal representatives, to pay over to Francis Dunlap, of Clearfield county, certain legacies
Act 334 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the administrators of John Dreisbach, late of Luzerne county, deceased, to sell certain real estate, and for other purposes
Act 335 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act for the relief and employment of the poor for the city of Philadelphia, the district of Southwark, and the townships of the Northern Liberties and Penn - amend - guardians of poor of Philadelphia county contract loans; extinguishment of loans
Act 336 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 Juniata, and for other purposes
Act 337 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing the supreme court to take cognizance of certain proceedings in the court of common pleas of Cumberland county
Act 338 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act relative to the hunting of deer - amend - fine
Act 339 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
For the relief of Jacob Lohr and the Gettysburg and Petersburg turnpike company
Act 340 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Acts relating to the holding of special courts in Fayette county, and for other purposes - amend - transfer of causes from court of common pleas to special court in Fayette county; district court of Allegheny county chancery powers
Act 341 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Requiring registers for the probate of wills and granting letters of administration to keep a docket for certain purposes
Act 342 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act erecting the town of Warren, in the county of Warren, into a borough and township, and for other purposes - amend - boundaries; borough of Norristown, Montgomery county
Act 343 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to the surveyor general's office
Act 344 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of Abraham Hiltebidle and Mary Anne, his wife
Act 345 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of Adam Hicksenbaugh, and Sarah, his wife
Act 346 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of Silas E. Seybert and Mary Ann Seybert
Act 347 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act erecting a new county out of the northern part of Luzerne county, to be called Wyoming - amend - process from Luzerne; misnomer not to invalidate titles in certain cases
Act 348 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act incorporating the district of Southwark, in the county of Philadelphia - amend - partition fences; district of Southwark; additional guardians of poor to be elected by Spring Garden; additional members to be elected to board of health
Act 349 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Explanatory of the twenty-sixth section of the act to reduce the state debt, and to incorporate the Pennsylvania canal and railroad company
Act 350 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to enable the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company to make an artificial road from the city of Philadelphia, through Germantown, to the ten mile stone on Chestnut Hill, and from thence to the new stone bridge of the Perkiomen creek,
Act 351 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate the Madison manufacturing company, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 352 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To change the name of Tuscarora township, in Bradford county, and for other purposes
Act 353 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Making the Beaver Dam run, in the county of Clearfield, a public highway
Act 354 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing the auditor general to settle the account of Hickok and Cantine
Act 355 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the trustees of the Springfield school house, in Chester county, to sell the same, and to build another on a lot near the Methodist meeting house
Act 356 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Providing for the assessment and payment of damages sustained by Washington Yearsley and Pascal Yearsley, by cutting down a public road in front of their property, in West-town township, Chester county, and for other purposes
Act 357 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
For the relief of Thomas Collins
Act 358 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
For the settlement of certain accounts
Act 359 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize a settlement of the claim of the Harrisburg bank, and for other purposes
Act 360 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize George Schmucker and others, trustees, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 361 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the governors to incorporate a company to make a lock navigation on the Youghiogheny river
Act 362 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Incorporating the America fire engine company, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 363 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To secure the safe navigation of the river Delaware
Act 364 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to tavern licenses, in the counties of Northumberland and Susquehanna
Act 365 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Act to provide for the resumption of specie payments by the banks of this commonwealth, and for other purposes - amend - assignees of Girard bank to sell certain stocks; election of directors
Act 366 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the governor to incorporate the Delaware canal company
Act 367 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to the Columbia avenue, in the county of Philadelphia, and for other purposes
Act 368 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Further to regulate proceedings in courts of justice, and for other purposes
Act 369 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Authorizing the executors of Andrew Jack, to sell and convey real estate
Act 370 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to roads and bridges in the counties of Crawford, Clearfield, and Greene
Act 371 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Relative to the public schools in the borough of Bellefonte, in Centre county, and for other purposes
Act 372 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Regulating election districts
Act 373 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize the auditor general and state treasurer to receive state stock at par in payment of a judgment the commonwealth holds against Robert B. Wright, late collector at Columbia
Act 374 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To authorize an examination of the claim of Stephen Strickland
Act 375 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
To incorporate sundry Baptist churches in Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, called the Central union association of independent or congregational Baptist churches
Act 376 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
General Appropriation Act of 1844
Act 377 of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Resolution fixing the mode of paying certain officers of the legislature
Resolution of 1844 · 1844 · Original text
Resolution relative to the claim of Charles W. Hegins
Resolution 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.