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 erection of the county of Schuylkill - amend - county lines defined
Act 89 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Regulating election districts
Act 90 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the auditor general to examine and settle the account of Washington Barr, for services rendered during the winter of the year 1838, as assistant commissary
Act 91 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Authorizing the burgess and town council of Troy borough, to lay out and open streets, roads, lanes and alleys in said borough, and relating to a state road in Allegheny and Washington counties
Act 92 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Relating to certain streets and roads in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Lancaster and Chester counties
Act 93 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To incorporate, in the township of Lower St. Clair, in Allegheny county, a borough, to be called "South Pittsburg"
Act 94 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To confer on Jesse Allen James, a minor, certain rights and privileges
Act 95 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
For the better regulation of the common school system, so far as relates to East Lampeter and Leacock township school districts, in Lancaster county
Act 96 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To change the name and grade of a rifle company in Lehigh county
Act 97 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
For the better regulation of the fire department in the city and incorporated districts of the county of Philadelphia
Act 98 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the governor to incorporate the Whitemarsh and Plymouth turnpike road company
Act 99 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
For the removal of the seat of justice of the county of Schuylkill, from Orwigsburg to the borough of Pottsville
Act 100 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To open a public alley in the city of Lancaster
Act 101 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To increase the width of certain streets, for the accommodation of market houses, in the city of Philadelphia
Act 102 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the executors of B.R. Morgan, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 103 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To incorporate the president and managers of the Byberry and Bensalem turnpike road company
Act 104 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Several acts heretofore passed relative to the Union canal company of Pennsylvania - amend - par value of stock reduced; annual meeting
Act 105 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Defining the place for keeping the records of the deputy surveyor, of the county of Butler
Act 106 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To exempt the Kensington burial ground, and the real estate of the Southern dispensary, from taxation
Act 107 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the trustees of the Associate Reformed church and congregation of the city of Philadelphia, to sell certain real estate
Act 108 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Act erecting the village of Orrstown, in the county of Franklin, into a borough - amend - school districts
Act 109 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To incorporate the Augustinian college of Villa Nova, in the county of Delaware, and state of Pennsylvania
Act 110 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Authorizing the commissioners of the district of Penn, in the county of Philadelphia, to change the lines of Girard avenue
Act 111 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Act to authorize Robert Stewart, esquire, and Edie Stewart, late of Huntingdon county, deceased, to convey certain real estate - amend - power to sell
Act 112 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To legalize and confirm the title to a certain tract of land in Fayette county
Act 113 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Authorizing the administrators of John Fisher, of Centre county, to sell real estate
Act 114 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To confirm the title of Edward Conway to a certain lot of ground
Act 115 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Act providing for the determination and settlement of claims for damages done by the construction of the Conneaut line of the Erie extension of the Pennsylvania canal - amend - canal commissioners to examine and assess damages on Erie extension,
Act 116 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To locate a state road from Smicksburg, to intersect the Clarion and Cherrytree state road, at or near the house of William Riddle, Esq., in Indiana county
Act 117 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Relative to the collection of taxes in new townships
Act 118 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Act to appoint commissioners, for the purpose of keeping in good order and repair that part of the East and West state road west of Fayette Corners, in the county of M'Kean, and for other purposes - amend - relative to roads in Chester township, Delaware
Act 119 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Relative to supervisors in the county of Philadelphia, and relative to roads in Nether Providence township, Delaware county
Act 120 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Supplementary to the several acts relating to the borough of Frankford, in the county of Philadelphia - amend - elect councilmen
Act 121 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Vacating that part of Vineyard and Charles street that lies west of Schuylkill Fourth, and that part of George street that lies west of Schuylkill Third street, in the district of Spring Garden, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 122 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Gunners' Run improvement company - amend - time extended; construct canal to Delaware
Act 123 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To incorporate the Reliance fire engine company of Philadelphia
Act 124 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract of Edward Johnson and Ruth P., his wife
Act 125 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To incorporate the president and managers of the Danborough and Plumsteadville turnpike road company
Act 126 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Providing for the election of constable, assessor and judges and inspectors of the general election in the borough of Pottstown, in Montgomery county
Act 127 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Authorizing the guardian of Charles S. Morse and Orrin D. Morse to convey real estate, and to authorize Henry H. Kurtz, guardian of Rebecca Evans, to purchase certain real estate
Act 128 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To prevent the continuance of liens in the county of Wyoming, by the revival of judgments in the county of Luzerne
Act 129 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the administrators of the reverend William Latta, D.D., deceased, and the executors of Margaret A. Latta, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 130 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To alter the time of electing the board of trustees of the academy in Tuscarora Valley, Juniata county, and to repeal the act changing the place of holding the elections in Concord election district, Franklin county
Act 131 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the canal commissioners to examine and adjust the claims of Samuel G. Ramsey, a contractor on the Erie extension, Pennsylvania canal
Act 132 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Relative to the bounty on fox scalps in the counties of Dauphin, Westmoreland, Chester, Monroe and Lehigh
Act 133 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Upper Dublin, Lewisville, Whitehallville and Nazareth turnpike road company and changing the name and title of said company to that of the Northern turnpike company - amend - Sweede street changed to Greene alley
Act 134 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Authorizing George Ford, trustee of the children of Samuel B. Heise, to pay over certain moneys
Act 135 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the auditor general to credit Isaac Colbert, former treasurer of Butler county, with the sum of forty dollars
Act 136 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Act relating to roads, highways and bridges, in the counties of Warren, Venango and M'Kean, and for other purposes - amend - report of road commissioners of Warren county to be made to court; issue a warrant for the collection of taxes
Act 137 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Act for the settlement of the estate of Samuel Cochran, deceased - amend - trustee to prosecute suits
Act 138 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To erect Warren, in the county of Armstrong, into a borough, to be called and known by the name of Apollo
Act 139 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To incorporate the Protection mutual fire insurance company of Chester county
Act 140 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize Regina Scholl, of Lehigh county, to sell certain real estate
Act 141 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Authorizing George W. Pearce to sell and convey real estate of Eliza Jane Pearce
Act 142 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the clerk of the orphans' court of York county to execute a deed for real estate of Frederick B. Cook, deceased, to Francis C. Polack
Act 143 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Authorizing John Keefe, of the county of Philadelphia, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 144 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the trustees of Margaretta Lamb to sell certain real estate
Act 145 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Relative to the Harrisburg, Portsmouth, Mount Joy and Lancaster railroad company
Act 146 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To incorporate a company to erect a bridge over the river Schuylkill, at or near Laurenceville, in the county of Chester
Act 147 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Relating to certain real estate
Act 148 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Relating to the Philanthropic burial ground association of Philadelphia county
Act 149 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the citizens of Barree township, in the county of Huntingdon, to elect three supervisors of roads for said township, and in relation to the road laws in the townships of East Bradford and Kennett, in Chester county
Act 150 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Act to create permanently the office of state printer - amend - print an increase number of laws
Act 151 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the voters of the Independent Harmony school district of Loyalhanna and Derry townships, in Westmoreland county, to elect their school directors at the school house of said district
Act 152 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Authorizing the laying out of a state road leading from Tamaqua to Kutztown
Act 153 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Vacating part of a certain state road leading from the towing-path bridge across Connequenessing creek, in Beaver county, to Perrysville, Allegheny county
Act 154 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Wiconisco canal company - amend - period for completion extended
Act 155 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Authorizing Orris Hall to sell certain real estate in the township of Conewango, in the county of Warren
Act 156 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Authorizing the inhabitants of Guilford township, in the county of Franklin, to elect four supervisors of the roads
Act 157 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize John Duffy, of the borough of Butler, to make and execute a deed for a certain out-lot in said borough
Act 158 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the trustees of the Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Williamsburg, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 159 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the managers of the M'Veytown bridge company, in Mifflin county, to sell certain property
Act 160 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Relating to the election of township officers in the county of Blair
Act 161 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To increase the capital stock of the Hollidaysburg and Bennington railroad company
Act 162 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Act incorporating the Dauphin and Susquehanna coal company - amend - increase number of shares; form a connection with other improvements
Act 163 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Fixing the place of holding the elections of Brush Valley township, Indiana county, and in Saltlick and Youghiogheny townships, in Fayette county
Act 165 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the auditor general to examine the claim of James Fenlon, for work done on the Juniata division of the Pennsylvania canal
Act 166 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To change the name of David Richardson Bair
Act 167 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Authorizing the auditor general to examine the claim of Beekman Potter, judge advocate of a court martial held in the county of Philadelphia
Act 168 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Relative to the Machpelah cemetery society of Philadelphia
Act 169 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Line Lexington mutual fire insurance company of Bucks and Montgomery counties - amend - classification; filling vacancies; annual meetings; appropriation of funds
Act 170 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To empower John L. Mohler, administrator de bonis non cum testamento annexo of George Ott, of Lancaster county, deceased, to sell certain real estate
Act 171 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
For the erection of a bridge across Clarion river, in Clarion county
Act 172 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Authorizing the supervisors of Clarion and Paint townships to let by public sale the making of any new roads
Act 173 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Act relating to roads in Middletown township, Delaware county, and for other purposes - amend - compensation and duties of commissioners
Act 174 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Directing the supervisors of Barnet township, Jefferson county, and of Ridgeway township, Elk county, to pay for the expense of opening roads in said townships
Act 175 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Authorizing the committee of Elizabeth D. Johnson to purchase real estate
Act 176 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To extend Walnut street, in the city of Lancaster, and Amber street, in the district of Kensington, Philadelphia county
Act 177 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Regulating election districts
Act 178 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
For the relief of sundry citizens of this commonwealth
Act 179 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To change the name of Adaline Beidler to Adaline Shelly
Act 180 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To incorporate the Pittsburg gas company
Act 181 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To incorporate the Western Pennsylvania hospital
Act 182 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize Sarah A. Wilson, of Allegheny county, to dispose of certain moneys, and to authorize the trustees of the Middle Octoraro Presbyterian congregation, of Lancaster county, to sell certain real estate
Act 183 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the trustees of the New Stanton meeting house, in Hempfield township, in the county of Westmoreland, to sell said meeting house
Act 184 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Relating to hunting and fishing in the counties of Huntingdon, Carbon, Luzerne, Dauphin, Mifflin, Elk, Pike, Monroe and Butler
Act 185 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To authorize the trustees of the six united congregations of Lutheran churches, in the counties of Northumberland and Columbia, to sell and convey certain real estate, and to confirm the sale of the real estate of John Bicher, late of Brecknock township,
Act 186 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
Providing for the expenses of roads and poor, in Reserve township, in the county of Allegheny
Act 187 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
To enable the trustee under the will of Paul Cox, to sell and convey certain real estate in the city of Philadelphia
Act 188 of 1848 · 1848 · Original text
For the relief of George M'Combs, for loss sustained by the breaking down of a bridge across the Pennsylvania canal
Act 189 of 1848 · 1848 · 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.