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
Relating to Monument cemetery, in Philadelphia county
Act 286 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To validate and confirm the acknowledgment of deeds taken and certified by David Crow, esquire, a justice of the peace of M'Kean county, and relative to the time of holding courts in Blair county
Act 287 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Liberty fire company of Holmesburg, in the county of Philadelphia - amend - to authorize the commissioners of Penn district, to change the lines of Girard avenue to meet Franklin avenue
Act 288 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
For the relief of the devisces in the will of George Pepper
Act 289 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Sunbury and Erie and Pittsburg and Susquehanna railroad companies - amend - power to purchase and place locomotives on the road; collect toll
Act 290 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Authorizing the laying out of a state road from Bakerstown, in Allegheny county, through Butler county, to the Great Western iron works, in Armstrong county
Act 291 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
In relation to obstructing the Big Brokenstraw creek and its tributaries, in Warren county
Act 292 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To authorize the sale of the real estate of Mary Amelia Brown, and to authorize Thomas Baumgardner, administrator of John Riddle, deceased, to make a deed
Act 293 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Law relating to defaulting public officers - amend - auditor general may appoint an auditor; compensation of additional auditor; tax on writs; state treasurer to receive state stock in payment of debts
Act 295 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of James G. Wilson and Sarah Catharine Wilson
Act 296 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
For the relief of James W. Guthrie - enactmentt
Act 297 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act authorizing the laying out of a state road from Haverling's mills, in West Buffalo township, in Union county, to Elk creek, Miles township, Centre county, and for other purposes - amend - commissioners appointed to review part of state road lying in W
Act 298 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Pittsburg and Connellsville railroad company - amend - construct road to connect with Pennsylvania railroad; tolls
Act 299 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To require corporations to give bail in certain cases, and relative to the commencement of suits against foreign corporations, to the accounts of John Sloan, late treasurer of Lycoming county, and Pittsburg and Connellsville railroad company
Act 300 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act to erect the town of Bedford, in the county of Bedford, into a borough - amend - may alter and amend by-laws; decide by ballot on the sale or lease of public ground; turnpike road companies to conform to borough regulations; elect constable
Act 301 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To reduce the expenses in Montgomery county, and relative to the treasury of Dauphin county
Act 302 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act to incorporate the city of Lancaster - amend - levy a tax on mortgages for city purposes; taxes on real estate made a lien; power to assess a water tax
Act 303 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Relative to certain parts of the estate of Jane Willing, deceased
Act 304 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Changing the names of Sarah Ann, Edwin, Amanda, and Henry Clay Miller, all of Chester county, and conferring upon them the rights and benefits of children born in lawful wedlock
Act 305 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
For the erection of a court house and jail in the county of Bradford
Act 306 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To authorize Isaac Heylin, trustee of Anna Louisa Duncan and others, to let certain real estate on ground rent
Act 307 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To enable the trustee of Elizabeth Davis to mortgage certain real estate, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 308 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
For the support of the Coudersport academy
Act 309 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To validate and confirm the sale of a certain tract of land in M'Kean county, made by the sheriff of Lycoming county
Act 310 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act to authorize suit to be brought on the official bond of William B. Mitchell, late superintendent - amend - viewers to assess damages occasioned by the opening of streets and alleys in Pittsburg; report of viewers; vacate Katharine street
Act 311 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Relative to the settlement of the accounts of Peter Martz
Act 312 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act incorporating the House of Refuge - amend - appropriation out of the county funds of Philadelphia to house of refuge
Act 313 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Trenton City bridge company - amend - free bridge; location of bridge
Act 314 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Authorizing the burgess, assistant burgess and town council of the borough of Marietta, in Lancaster county, to provide a lock-up house
Act 315 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To authorize the commissioners of Cumberland county, to repair a certain bridge and road adjacent, and relative to the Conodoguinett bridge
Act 316 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
For the relief of the heirs of Elizabeth M'Dowell, deceased
Act 317 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
For the construction of a certain dam on the Tangascootack extension of the West Branch division of the Pennsylvania canal
Act 318 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Relating to the Woodland cemetery company of Philadelphia
Act 319 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Relating to premiums on wolf scalps in the counties of Monroe, Pike, Potter and Westmoreland
Act 320 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Authorizing the canal commissioners to examine the claim of George J. Heisely
Act 321 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To authorize the Erie canal company to build a berme bank at the Hartstown reservoir, and to perfect certain contracts
Act 322 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act relative to the Perkiomen and Sumneytown turnpike road company - amend - commissioners of Montgomery county may change bridge stock for turnpike stock
Act 323 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To authorize the commissioners of Warren and Allegheny counties to appropriate, out of the county funds, four hundred dollars each, for road purposes
Act 324 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To authorize Charles Loser and Mary, his wife, to change the name of Margaret Gray, their adopted child, and giving her the benefits of a child born of them in lawful wedlock
Act 325 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To incorporate the Gunners' Run Improvement company
Act 326 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
For letting out the collection of taxes in Springfield township, Bucks county, to the lowest bidder
Act 327 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To vest in John Blight the title to certain property
Act 328 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act to provide for the reduction of the public debt - amend - tax on book accounts
Act 329 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act relative to lien creditors becoming purchasers at judicial sales, and for other purposes - amend - actions of trespass; fines and forfeitures
Act 330 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
For the division of Buffalo township, in Armstrong county
Act 331 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
For the relief of certain soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian wars
Act 332 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To authorize the commissioners of Blair county to borrow money
Act 333 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Authorizing the commissioners of M'Kean county to appropriate, out of the county funds, three thousand dollars for road purposes
Act 334 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Declaring the West Branch of Pine creek, in the county of Potter, a public highway, and relative to certain depositions in Mifflin county
Act 335 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Relating to the election of county treasurer in the county of M'Kean
Act 336 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Authorizing the canal commissioners to investigate the claims of Dennis Brawley, junior
Act 337 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Authorizing the auditor general to examine the claim of James E. Cooper, and to change the venue of a certain case in the court of common pleas of Somerset, and relative to a revision of the revenue laws
Act 338 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Granting a new trial to Abel Fairchild
Act 339 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Authorizing the administrator of William Witman to make a deed for certain real estate
Act 340 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To provide for the construction of a weigh lock on the North Branch division of the Pennsylvania canal
Act 341 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
For the relief of William Guthrie, of Mercer county
Act 342 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Authorizing Michael Cressler and Alexander Stewart, to convey certain real estate, and authorizing the orphans' court of Mifflin county, to appoint a trustee in the case of Emily Elliot
Act 343 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To incorporate the borough of Reading, Berks county, into a city
Act 344 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To cure a defect in the title to certain real estate, and relative to the real estate of John B. Mish, deceased, and the preservation of liens, and for other purposes
Act 345 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Regulating election districts
Act 346 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To enable William Kiehner, guardian of John Mannon, to sell certain real estate
Act 347 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
For the relief of certain soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian wars
Act 348 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act to authorize the voters of Mifflin county to decide the question of tavern license therein, and to prohibit the sale of intoxicating drinks within specified limits in certain counties - amend - extended to the mines of the Buck Mountain coal company,
Act 349 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
General Appropriations Act of 1847
Act 350 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Danville and Pottsville railroad company - amend - instituting proceedings against said company; guaranty on the part of the state to be released
Act 351 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To regulate the heights and levels of streets, in part of the township of the unincorporated Northern Liberties
Act 352 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act incorporating the trustees of the Presbyterian church of Hanover township, in Lancaster (now Dauphin) county - amend - trustees appointed
Act 353 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act authorizing certain commissioners to view and lay out a state road from Logan's ferry to Kemerer's, near Greensburg - amend - relating to the Buckingham and Doylestown turnpike road company; and to streets in Wellsboro', Tioga county; duties and
Act 354 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Relating to the estate of Henry Heermans
Act 355 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act for the incorporation of the Pittsburg, Kittanning and Warren railroad company - amend - time for commencing and completing extended
Act 356 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To renew the warrants of John H. Wolf, for the collection of outstanding tax in Canton township, in Washington county
Act 357 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
For the relief of Samuel Rutherford
Act 358 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act to prevent the destruction of trout in Letart spring, and the preservation of the same in the county of Cumberland - amend - penalty for killing wild turkey, woodcock, and pheasant
Act 359 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act relating to dog tax in certain townships in Delaware county - amend - duties of auditors; collectors
Act 360 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Relating to the estate of John Nickey, of York county, deceased
Act 361 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Relating to second brigade, eighth division, Pennsylvania militia, and relative to the Doylestown Grays, and relative to the Northampton and Luzerne coal company, and disturbing religious congregations
Act 362 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To authorize the governor to incorporate the Lycoming and Tioga plank road company
Act 363 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To incorporate the president and managers of the Phoenixville, Kimberton and Yellow Springs turnpike road company
Act 364 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Erecting parts of Lycoming county into a new county, to be called Sullivan
Act 365 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act for the erection of a poor house in the county of Mifflin - amend - decide by ballot on the acceptance of law; separate district for the support of the poor erected; erection of a poor house; directors of the poor shall become a corporate body; audito
Act 366 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Relating to the auditors of Philadelphia county; also, to Delaware Sixth street, in said county; also, to the sinking fund of the said county; also, to the disposal of certain real estate by the commissioners of said county; also, to the vacation of a cer
Act 367 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of Elizabeth Kuhns and Samuel Kuhns
Act 368 of 1847 · 1847 · 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 Northeast Branch of the Susquehanna, in the county of Northumberland, from the public highway opposite the
Act 369 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To provide against damage from gun cotton
Act 370 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act relating to orphans' courts - amend - proceedings in partition or valuation of a wife's estate; orphans' court authorized to decree vacant real estate of minors to be let on ground rent
Act 371 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract between Eliza Allen Whale and Charles F. Whale
Act 372 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Declaring obstructions to private roads to be a public nuisance, and for other purposes
Act 373 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of Thomas Parker and Mary, his wife
Act 374 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of Peter Conine and Susan Nancy, his wife
Act 375 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To incorporate the Merchants' and People's transportation company
Act 376 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act authorizing the trustees of John T. Simpler to sell and convey certain real estate - amend - trustees authorized to sell and convey
Act 377 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To authorize the sale of certain real estate, late of James Scroggs, deceased
Act 378 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Fishing Creek railroad company - amend - commissioners appointed to carry into effect the provisions of act of assembly
Act 379 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To authorize John F. Miller, guardian of Martha A. Taylor, to sell and convey certain real estate of his ward
Act 380 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Act to authorize the governor to incorporate the Wayne County connecting turnpike road company - amend - time extended
Act 381 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract between Elizabeth Gardner and John Gardner, her husband
Act 382 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To authorize the governor to incorporate the Wayne county connecting turnpike road company
Act 1846 0416 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To authorize the governor to inTo annul the marriage contract between Jesse Benners and Harriet, his wife, and for other purposes - enactmentcorporate the Wayne county connecting turnpike road company
Act 1846 0417 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
To extend the charter of the Farmers' Bank of Reading
Act 1846 0418 of 1847 · 1847 · Original text
Resolution authorizing the secretary of the commonwealth to give notice of the letting of the state printing
Resolution of 1847 · 1847 · 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.