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
Relative to stocks in incorporated companies purchased of the commonwealth, and for other purposes
Act 199 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract between Edward M'Cutchen, and Elizabeth, his wife
Act 200 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To incorporate the borough of Girard, in the county of Erie
Act 201 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To lay out a state road from Shickshenny, in Luzerne county, to John Headleson's, in Lycoming county, and for other purposes
Act 202 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act incorporating the Little Schuylkill navigation, railroad and coal company - amend - time for completion extended
Act 203 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To confer on Elizabeth Mittonk, the rights and benefits of a child born in lawful wedlock
Act 204 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
For the relief of the Methodist Episcopal church in Bellefonte, Centre county, and for other purposes
Act 205 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the citizens of certain counties, to decide by ballot whether the sale of vinous and spirituous liquors shall be continued in said counties
Act 206 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Regulating the assessment of tax in Chester county
Act 207 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
For the relief of James Kelley and Philip Young, soldiers of the Revolutionary war
Act 208 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
For the relief of Christopher Overly, Elizabeth Davidson, and others, soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian wars
Act 209 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act incorporating the Columbia Bank and Bridge company - amend - evading the payment of tolls; travel regulated; penalties; passage of cars on bridge regulated
Act 210 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To confirm the title of Charles Macalester, to certain real estate in Spring Garden, Philadelphia county
Act 211 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To confirm the title of Henry Korn, to certain real estate, in the city of Philadelphia
Act 212 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the executors of John M'Allen, late of Franklin county, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 213 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to the sheriffs in Chester and Greene counties
Act 214 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Vacating part of Camac street, in Penn township, in the county of Philadelphia, and for other purposes
Act 215 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To change the name and grade of certain volunteer companies
Act 216 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize John Hill to construct a dam in the Kiskiminetas river
Act 217 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act authorizing the laying out of a state road from James Wilson's tavern, on the Beaver and Darlington state road, in Beaver county, to New Castle, in Mercer county, and for other purposes - repeal - section 1
Act 218 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Concerning the claims of Alfred Royer, of Indiana county
Act 219 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to the election of path masters in the county of Erie, and for other purposes
Act 220 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of Enos Eastwood and Louisa, his wife
Act 221 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to authorize the governor of this commonwealth, to incorporate a company for the purpose of making and erecting a bridge and road, over the North East Branch of the river Susquehanna, in the county of Northumberland, from the public highway, opposite
Act 222 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relative to roads and bridges in the counties of Armstrong, Mercer and Crawford
Act 223 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to the chancery powers of courts, in the city and county of Philadelphia
Act 224 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act authorizing the governor to incorporate the Tioga navigation company - amend - annual statement to be furnished in January
Act 225 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To legalize certain deeds made by the commissioners of Jefferson county
Act 226 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the canal commissioners to examine the claim of James Rutledge
Act 227 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To confirm the title to certain real estate, in the county of Philadelphia, to William Heiss, his heirs and assigns
Act 228 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act authorizing Samuel Rockwell, junior, administrator of the estate of John C. Rose, late of Bradford county, deceased, to convey certain real estate, and for other purposes - amend - consideration money changed or altered
Act 229 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the court of common pleas of M'Kean county to appoint township treasurers, in and for said county
Act 230 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing Thomas Elliot and John Mather, trustees, to re-convey certain real and personal estate to Thomas Mather
Act 231 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the laying out of a state road from the Conneaut lake and Georgetown road, near Samuel Minises' farm, on the line which divides the counties of Mercer and Crawford, and along said line to Jamestown, so as to intersect the Jamestown and
Act 232 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act prohibiting fishing, at certain seasons of the year, in certain creeks in the township of Marion, in the county of Berks - amend - prevent fishing in certain streams in the county of Centre
Act 233 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Declaring Spring creek, in Warren county, a public highway, to where it crosses the Crawford county line, as also the southern branch of said stream
Act 234 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Respecting the estate of Catharine Erb
Act 235 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
For the relief of Joseph J. Carlisle, trustee of Helena Carlisle, and Margaret Rice
Act 236 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Giving the assent of this commonwealth to the act of the Legislature of New Jersey, entitled "A supplement to the act to incorporate the Alexandria Delaware bridge company"
Act 237 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To prevent the destruction of game in the county of Perry
Act 238 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the laying out of a state road from the borough of Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, to intersect a public road leading from Easton to Mauch Chunk, and for other purposes
Act 239 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Providing for the determination and settlement of claims for damage done by the construction of the Conneaut line of the Erie extension of the Pennsylvania canal
Act 240 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the commissioners of Perry and Wyoming counties, to re-construct certain bridges in said counties
Act 241 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to encourage the manufacture of iron with coke or mineral coal, and for other purposes - amend - Buck Mountain coal company authorized to hold additional lands
Act 242 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relative to the claim of Albright and Shearer
Act 243 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Concerning the claim of M'Kown and Flood
Act 244 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Reforming the road and bridge laws in the county of Butler
Act 245 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act for the relief of the Cumberland Valley railroad company - amend - borrow money; powers granted to loan holders
Act 246 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
For the relief of George Robinson
Act 247 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to Mahanoy creek
Act 248 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relating to non-accepting school districts, in the county of Lancaster, and for other purposes
Act 249 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relative to the claim of John Rhey
Act 250 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Supplement to the act relating to inspections - amend - extended to Northampton township, Lehigh county
Act 251 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Supplemental to the several acts of assembly incorporating the Wyoming academy, and the Wilkesbarre female seminary, and the Athens and Wysox academies
Act 252 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of James Waggoner, and Susanna his wife
Act 253 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act concerning bail and attachments - amend - costs of cases of appeal and security given; construction in regard to payment of costs
Act 254 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the trustees of the Reading academy, to transfer the said academy to the school directors of the borough of Reading, and for other purposes
Act 255 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize David Boyd to sell certain real estate, late of Mary M'Adams, deceased
Act 256 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the administrator of John Good, late of Somerset county, deceased, to convey a certain lot of ground
Act 257 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To confer on Mary Magdalena Witmer, Henry Meese and Elizabeth Moyer, the rights and privileges of children born in lawful wedlock
Act 258 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing Sarah H. Armstrong to sell certain real estate, or to make partition thereof
Act 259 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to charter the Harrisburg bridge company - amend - borrow money; increase capital; meeting of stockholders; votes by proxy not allowed; unite with Cumberland Valley railroad company in building a bridge
Act 260 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the governor to incorporate a company for erecting a wire suspension tripartite bridge over the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, at their confluence, opposite Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny
Act 261 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To incorporate the Pennsylvania railroad company
Act 262 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Pennsylvania railroad company - amend - construction of act
Act 263 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act relating to the lien of mechanics, and others, upon buildings - amend - extended to Adams county; duties of commissioners of Franklin county
Act 264 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To erect part of Lower Mahantongo township, in Schuylkill county, into a separate school district, and for other purposes
Act 265 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relative to certain courts in the city and county of Philadelphia
Act 266 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
For the relief of Jacob Garrison, late collector of school taxes in the township of Alleppo, in the county of Greene, and for other purposes
Act 267 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the state treasurer to refund certain money overpaid as collateral inheritance tax, by Philip Lauer
Act 268 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Laying a tax on dogs in the borough of West Chester, and certain townships in the county of Chester, and for other purposes
Act 269 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Summit coal company - amend - quorum; toll
Act 270 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Further supplement to the several acts heretofore passed, relating to the Union canal company of Pennsylvania - amend - loan and stockholders; interest
Act 271 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the state treasurer to pay James and C. Rigby, a balance due on lockhouse number two, on the Shenango line of the Pennsylvania canal
Act 272 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To establish a public ferry across the West Branch of the Susquehanna river, at the town of Lockport, in the county of Clinton
Act 273 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract between Abraham C. Schanck and Amy, his wife
Act 274 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the trustees of the Evangelical Lutheran congregation, at Berlin, in the county of Somerset, to erect a school house
Act 275 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing David Gordon to collect certain outstanding tax, in the township of Robinson, in the county of Washington, and for other purposes
Act 276 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize J.H. Smith and his wife, to sell certain real estate, in the county of Allegheny
Act 277 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the canal commissioners to examine the claim of John S. Hughes
Act 278 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To incorporate the Union band, of Port Union, Berks county
Act 279 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To provide for the construction of an in-let lock, near Beach Grove, on the North Branch division of the Pennsylvania canal
Act 280 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing the commissioners of the Northern Liberties, county of Philadelphia, to alter the survey and regulation of Haydock street, in said district, and for other purposes
Act 281 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Swatara and Good Spring Creek railroad company - amend - time extended
Act 282 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
For the relief of Ephraim Jellison, Anne Hawk and others, soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian wars
Act 283 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing connections between the Philadelphia and Reading railroad, and the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown railroad
Act 284 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the brigade inspector of the third brigade, sixth division, Pennsylvania militia, to inspect the Washington Guards, a volunteer company, in Schuylkill and Northumberland counties, and to authorize the brigade inspector, third brigade, sixteen
Act 285 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
In relation to the Bloomsburg railroad iron company
Act 286 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To confer on Silas Evans, an illegitimate son of Elam Evans, of Chester county, the rights, privileges, benefits and advantages of a child born in lawful wedlock
Act 287 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Authorizing Copeland Boyd, guardian of Horace B. Boyd, and Mary Ann Boyd, and John Micksch, guardian of John H. Boyd, to make conveyance of certain real estate, and for other purposes
Act 288 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to provide for the erection of a house of employment and support of the poor, in the county of Fayette - amend - compensation; duties of justices of the peace; oaths; removal of paupers; directors to examine claims for relief; further powers and dutie
Act 289 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Relative to the toll-house lot on the Beaver division
Act 290 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Act to authorize the commissioners of the incorporated districts of the county of Philadelphia, to construct works for supplying said districts with water from the Schuylkill river - amend - treasurer of Spring Garden to keep separate account of moneys re
Act 291 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the executor of Thomas Hewitt, deceased, to dispose of real estate
Act 292 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
Constituting the mayor of the city of Allegheny, an official visitor to the state penitentiary
Act 293 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To incorporate the Mount Union cemetery, in Allegheny county
Act 294 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of William A. Wetmore, and Catharine, his wife
Act 295 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract between Albanus L. Bennett, and Agnes, his wife
Act 296 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
German society contributing for the relief of distressed Germans, in the state of Pennsylvania - amend - exempt from payment of certain taxes
Act 297 of 1846 · 1846 · Original text
To authorize the state treasurer to refund certain money to John Shearer
Act 298 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.