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
Resolution correcting errors in certain acts
Resolution of 1845 · 1845 · Original text
Resolution supplementary to n act for the relief of Ann U. Weaver, widow, of Thomas Weaver, deceased
Act Res 12 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act for the incorporation of the Northern Liberties gas company - amend - declare semi-annual dividends
Act 1 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act authorizing the incorporating the Easton water company - amend - capital stock increased; where to construct wing wall and dam; to be approved by Legislature of New Jersey
Act 2 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
For changing the time of holding courts in Adams county
Act 3 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to establish a seminary by the name of Haverford school association - amend - power to enact by-laws and rules
Act 4 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act incorporating the Pittsburgh navigation and fire insurance company - amend - value of stock reduced
Act 5 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To provide for the payment of the interest on the funded debt of this commonwealth, falling due within the current financial year
Act 6 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to provide for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor of the county of Somerset, and for other purposes - amend - time to purchase real estate extended
Act 7 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize Charles S. Bradford, Trustee of Mary M. Brackenridge, of the county of Allegheny, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 8 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act providing for the erection of a poor house, and house of employment, in the county of Cumberland - amend - fees of constables fixed
Act 9 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
For the relief of the estate of Joseph Dugan, deceased
Act 10 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to the collection of school taxes in the borough of Lewistown
Act 11 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To reduce the expenses of Northampton county
Act 12 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To continue the law graduating lands on which purchase money is due the commonwealth
Act 13 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to the recovery of debts due associations
Act 14 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To incorporate the Franklin medical college of Philadelphia
Act 15 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Lykens Valley coal company, in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and to authorize the opening of a road in Honesdale, Wayne county - amend - application of funds; election of directors; additional real estate
Act 16 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To provide for the completion of the Eastern and Western reservoirs
Act 17 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize John Poulson and Charles Augustus Poulson, trustees, to sell certain real estate
Act 18 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the canal commissioners to remove certain buildings near the Philadelphia and Columbia railroad, to prevent their destruction by fire from locomotives
Act 19 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the president or associate judge of the district court of Allegheny county, to hold special courts in Washington county
Act 20 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Regulating election districts
Act 21 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To settle the claims of certain persons to a lot of ground in Philadelphia
Act 22 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To divide Cedar ward, in the city of Philadelphia, into three wards
Act 23 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
For extending Prince street in the city of Lancaster, and laying out and opening a new street, from South Queen street to intersect the same
Act 24 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing David Townsend, guardian, to sell certain real estate
Act 25 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize James M'Mahan, guardian of James Brady, to transfer the interest of his ward in certain real estate
Act 26 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to establish a board of wardens of the port of Philadelphia, and for other purposes - amend - wardens to grant licenses to pilots; offenders how prosecuted; obstructions in rivers and on sand bars and islands; employ counsel
Act 27 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To establish the university at Lewisburg
Act 28 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize William Williamson, of the borough of West Chester, trustee of the children of Taylor Seal, deceased, to settle an account of his trust and pay the money over to the heirs
Act 29 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the sale of certain ground rents of the heirs of John Moore, deceased
Act 30 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to notices in cases of extended real estate
Act 31 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the canal commissioners to re-examine the claims of Royer and Schmucker
Act 32 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Acts relating to the erection of public buildings in the county of Fayette - repeal
Act 33 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize George Summers, guardian of John Greenawalt, Elizabeth Greenawalt, Susan Greenawalt and Jacob Greenawalt, to expend a certain sum of money in erecting buildings on a farm belonging to his wards
Act 34 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the election of township treasures in Potter and M'Kean counties
Act 35 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To divide the district of Spring Garden into wards and precincts, and to increase the number of commissioners
Act 36 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To divide the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh wards in the incorporated district of the Northern Liberties, in the county of Philadelphia, into election precincts
Act 37 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to define the boundaries of East Brunswig school district, Schuylkill county - amend - territory annexed to the school district of East Brunswig
Act 38 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the burgess and town council of the boroughs of Johnstown and Blairsville, in the counties of Cambria and Indiana, to provide lock-up houses
Act 39 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to Big Equinunk creek, in the county of Wayne
Act 40 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To apportion the district of Kensington, and to regulate the board of commissioners
Act 41 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to opening new roads and building bridges, in the township of East Fallowfield, Chester county, and relative to a certain state road in said county
Act 42 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Allowing Thomas C. M'Dowell, compensation for professional services rendered the commonwealth
Act 43 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the auditor general to re-examine the accounts of Jacob Ziegler, late superintendent of the Gettysburg railroad
Act 44 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the citizens of Robeson and Hay Creek townships, in Berks county, to vote for or against the new township of Hay Creek, and for other purposes
Act 45 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To enable the executors of Wm. E. Rogers, deceased, to sell certain real estate
Act 46 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Incorporating the Charles Evans cemetery, in Berks county
Act 47 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing Harvey Roys, his heirs or assigns, to convey water into the town of Milford, in Pike county
Act 48 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
For the relief of Ann U. Weaver, widow of Thomas Weaver, deceased
Act 49 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To confirm parts of the plan of the survey and regulations of the Kensington district of the Northern Liberties, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 50 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Creating an election district in Liberty township, Centre county
Act 51 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to reduce the expenses in Berks and Washington counties - repeal - relative to pay of county commissioners of Washington county
Act 52 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To prevent the destruction of trout in Silver spring, in Cumberland county
Act 53 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To enable Lydia Sparrow to sell certain real estate
Act 54 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Erecting parts of Huntingdon and Bedford counties into a new county, to be called Blair
Act 55 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Little Schuylkill and Susquehanna railroad company - amend - increase of capital; construct branches; time for completion extended
Act 56 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Fire insurance company of Northampton county - amend - liabilities limited
Act 57 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act incorporating the York county savings institution - amend - invest funds in public stock of this state, or of the United States, or real securities, or in discount of notes on personal securities
Act 58 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the canal commissioners to remove the barn of Samuel Parke and brothers, to prevent its destruction by fire from locomotives
Act 59 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize William Gans, executor of David Rumble, late of Fayette county, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 60 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to the directors of the poor of Lancaster county
Act 61 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Regulating the payment of constables' fees for conveying paupers in Franklin county
Act 62 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the sale of an acre of ground of the estate of Jacob Groff, dec'd, in West Earl township, Lancaster county, to trustees of "Groff's Meeting House," in said township
Act 63 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize James Clarke to construct a dam in the Conemaugh river
Act 64 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Law changing the mode of electing offices of the Bellefonte, Aaronsburg, and Youngmanstown turnpike company - repeal
Act 65 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relative to the estate of Henry Neff, deceased, late of the county of Lancaster
Act 66 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relative to the assessment and collection of taxes in the city of Pittsburg
Act 67 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relative to certain claims for damages on the Columbia railroad
Act 68 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the burgesses of the borough of Adamsburgh, in the county of Westmoreland, to purchase real estate for school purposes
Act 69 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize a state road to be laid out from a point at or near the house of Andrew Irvine, in Glade township, Warren county, to the New York state line, and to lay out a State road from the borough of Indiana, to the borough of Clarion
Act 70 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the sale of the Lancasterian lot and school house, in the city of Lancaster
Act 71 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To incorporate "the Windsor mutual assistance and fire insurance company," of Berks county
Act 72 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Regulating election districts
Act 73 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relative to certain election districts
Act 74 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Luthersburg and Punxatawney turnpike road company, and for other purposes - amend - Lancaster and Litiz turnpike company to construct an artificial road
Act 75 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Altering and amending the charter of the German Reformed congregation of Heidleberg township, Dauphin county, now Jackson township, Lebanon county, and commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Act 76 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Sunbury and Erie, and Pittsburg and Susquehanna railroad company - amend - time extended; location of road
Act 77 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To incorporate the Pure Spring Water company of Kennett Square, in the county of Chester
Act 78 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to Aldermen and justices of the peace
Act 79 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the sale of the Sabbath school house in the borough of Lebanon
Act 80 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
For the correction of an error in the record of the last will and testament of John Beckett, late of the county of Westmoreland, deceased
Act 81 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relative to an increase of justices of the peace in Barre township, Huntingdon county
Act 82 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to the public roads in Albany township, Berks county
Act 83 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Establishing the age at which children may be received into the common schools in the boroughs of Carlisle and Harrisburg
Act 84 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to the real estate of William Pennypacker, deceased
Act 85 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the sale of certain real estate, late of Valentine Hoffman, deceased
Act 86 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To confer on Elizabeth Palmer, the rights and benefits of a child born in lawful wedlock
Act 87 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act relating to the liens of mechanics and others upon buildings - amend - extended to the county of Pike
Act 88 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to the Quincy district in the county of Franklin
Act 89 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to registered taxes and municipal claims in the county of Philadelphia
Act 90 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To refund a certain amount of money paid by Henry Sivelly to the commonwealth
Act 91 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Perfecting the acknowledgment of a deed from Theodore Jonas Barnett and Elizabeth, his wife, to Charles Shaw
Act 92 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To reduce the capital stock of the Erie and North-East railroad company
Act 93 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the canal commissioners to examine the claim of Benjamin Bear, for damages sustained by the erection of Muncy dam
Act 94 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing Isaac Gregg, trustee of Sidney Jane Robinson, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 95 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relative to the claim of Bolard and David
Act 96 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To extend the time allowed Pierre Joseph De Caters, and others, to hold and convey certain real estate
Act 97 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act authorize the administrators of Henry Minium, late of Crawford county, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate, and for other purposes - amend - relative to taxing the Erie academy
Act 98 of 1846 · 1846 · 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.