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 trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church, in Meadville, to borrow money
Act 2 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the Humane fire engine company, of the county of Philadelphia, to sell certain real estate
Act 3 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Declaring the streets and alleys in certain additions to the town of Danville, in Columbia county, public highways
Act 4 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to confirm the title of the General Green beneficial society of the city and county of Philadelphia, to certain ground rents - amend - first preamble altered
Act 5 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize Francis W. Hughes to sell and convey certain real state
Act 6 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Equitable life insurance company - amend - trustees; secretary; powers
Act 7 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Saint Anne's widows' asylum of Philadelphia
Act 8 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of George W. Patton
Act 9 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to enable the governor to appoint notaries public, and for other purposes - amend - additional notary public is authorized to reside in any part of the county
Act 10 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the payment to Mrs. Jane Shunk, widow of Francis R. Shunk, deceased, of a certain balance of the annual salary of the late executive
Act 11 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the claim of J.W. Hammond
Act 12 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Regulating turnpike and plank road companies
Act 13 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize Hannah F. Jones and Elizabeth F. Chambers, to sell or dispose of certain real estate
Act 14 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the Harrisburg, Portsmouth, Mount Joy and Lancaster railroad company
Act 15 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To confer on Elizabeth Anderson, of Greene county, the rights and privileges of a child born in lawful wedlock
Act 16 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act incorporating the Philadelphia and West Chester turnpike company - repeal - section 23
Act 17 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relating to investigations into the affairs of banks or savings institutions applying to the legislature for re-charter
Act 18 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the American telegraph company
Act 19 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to incorporate the trustees of the fire association of Philadelphia - amend - deduct interest on money loaned
Act 20 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the state treasurer to borrow money on temporary loan
Act 21 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To enable certain parties to confirm a partition therein mentioned
Act 22 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of Elizabeth Francis
Act 23 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the trustees of the congregations of Kreutz Creek church, in Hellam township, York county, to sell certain real estate
Act 24 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the duties of justices of the peace for the counties of Washington and Montgomery
Act 25 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the West Philadelphia hall association, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 26 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act authorizing the sale of real estate in Luzerne and Columbia counties, and for other purposes - amend - commissioners to give notice of distribution
Act 27 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Williamsport bridge company, in the county of Lycoming, and for other purposes - amend - borrow money; stockholders to vote in person
Act 28 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Fellowship hose company of the borough of Germantown
Act 29 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Olive cemetery company
Act 30 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the burgess and town council of the borough of Freeport, in the county of Armstrong, to provide a lock-up house
Act 31 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To continue the law graduating lands on which purchase money is due the commonwealth
Act 32 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Extending Market street, and Water street, in the borough of Brookville, Jefferson county, and to declare the width thereof
Act 33 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Providing for the payment of certain claims
Act 34 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To abolish the district court of the city and county of Lancaster, and the mayor's court of the city of Lancaster
Act 35 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To provide for the payment of certain laborers on the public works, and for repairs on the same
Act 36 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Erecting the township of Cass, in the county of Schuylkill, into a separate election district
Act 37 of 1849 · 1849 · 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 - enlarge capital stock; may hold lands; charter extended
Act 38 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to authorize the commissioners of Huntingdon county to borrow money
Act 39 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the treasurer of the county of Westmoreland, to refund to Robert Anderson the sum of 25 dollars, paid to said treasurer under a mistake
Act 40 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act of authorizing the erection of a poor house in Somerset county - amend - directors of poor house to make provisions for the maintenance of lunatics
Act 41 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To view and lay out a state road from Carmichaelstown, in Greene county, to M'Clellandtown, in Fayette county
Act 42 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Erecting the townships of Butler and Frailey, in the county of Schuylkill, into separate election districts
Act 43 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the commissioners of Schuylkill county to sell certain real estate
Act 44 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the Schuylkill bridge company, at Pottstown, Montgomery county
Act 45 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act incorporating the Pottsville water company - amend - increase capital stock; power to bring water into the borough of Pottsville
Act 46 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the adjutant general to furnish arms to the Waynesburg Dragoons
Act 47 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Extending certain auction laws to Greene county
Act 48 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the society to develop the mineral resources of the United States
Act 49 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To confer on Mary Ann Hall the rights and privileges of a child born in lawful wedlock
Act 50 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To furnish the West Lebanon artillery company, and the Columbia Guards, with field pieces
Act 51 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Defining the place for keeping the records of the deputy surveyor of the county of Greene
Act 52 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to incorporate the president and managers of the Byberry and Bensalem turnpike road company - amend - voters to decide on subscribing capital stock
Act 53 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to incorporate the president and managers of the Byberry and Bensalem turnpike road company - amend - voters to decide on subscribing capital stock
Act 54 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relating to the estate of Jacob Wilt, late of the borough of York, deceased
Act 55 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Young Men's mercantile library and mechanics' institute, of the city of Pittsburg
Act 56 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To erect Cowanshanock township, in the county of Armstrong, and the township of Spring, in the county of Perry, into separate election districts
Act 57 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing certain trustees under the will of Stephen E. Fotterall, to let on ground rent certain parts of his real estate
Act 58 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To promote the free navigation of French creek
Act 59 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For recording the plot and survey of certain lands in Elk county
Act 60 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Lebanon cemetery of Philadelphia
Act 61 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relating to the borough of Gaysport, in Blair county
Act 62 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing Isabel M'Lear to sell certain real estate
Act 63 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of A. Gibbons, junior, and company
Act 64 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to authorize the governor to incorporate the Philadelphia and Reading railroad company - amend - powers
Act 65 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Charter of the chartered fund of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the United States of America - amend - yearly value of lands not to exceed; board of trustees have power to fill vacancies
Act 66 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To perfect the charter of the Samaritan beneficial society of the city and county of Philadelphia
Act 67 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Charter of incorporation of the Methodist Episcopal church of Easton - amend - citizens of Warren county, New Jersey may be members and officers
Act 68 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To convey to Emily Elliott certain real estate
Act 69 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To extend the limits of the district of Richmond, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 70 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the Lutheran congregations of Dauphin and Northumberland counties to sell real estate
Act 71 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To vacate part of an alley in the city of Lancaster
Act 72 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To divide the Fifth ward, in the district of Southwark, in the county of Philadelphia, into two wards
Act 73 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to repairing roads in Upper Providence township, and to the Providence roads in Delaware county
Act 74 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Ohio and Pennsylvania railroad company - amend - width of track at Ohio border
Act 75 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Regulating railroad companies
Act 76 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of Mungo Murray and wife, and to authorize the managers of the poor in Roxborough, to execute and deliver certain deeds
Act 77 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize John M. Broomell to sell certain real estate in the city of Philadelphia
Act 78 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to voting at elections in the counties of Adams, Dauphin, York, Lancaster, Franklin, Cumberland, Bradford, Centre, Greene, and Erie
Act 79 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act declaring obstructions to private roads to be a public nuisance, and for other purposes - amend - relative to the appointment of viewers and reviewers of roads and bridges in Northumberland county, and relative to the vacating of roads
Act 80 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act authorizing certain state roads - amend - duty of the supervisors; commissioners have power to vacate road
Act 81 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing William Searight to make a certain deed
Act 82 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Charter of the borough of West Greenville, Mercer county - amend - streets, roads, lanes and alleys declared public highways; levy and collect taxes; elections; powers extended to Greenville
Act 83 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relating to the directors of the poor in the county of Chester
Act 84 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the estate of John Meixall, senior, deceased, of Leacock township, Lancaster county
Act 85 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relating to certain real estate, situate in the Northern Liberties, and county of Philadelphia
Act 86 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To erect Danville, in Columbia county, into a borough
Act 87 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the better regulation of the townships of New Castle, East Norwegian, and Blythe, in Schuylkill county
Act 89 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act relative to roads and bridges in the counties of Crawford, Clearfield, and Greene - amend - extended to the counties of Erie and Venango
Act 90 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Female seminary of Eden Hall, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 91 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To erect Millerstown, in the county of Perry, into a borough and election and school district
Act 92 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Philadelphia hose company
Act 93 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relating to a special election in Adams county
Act 94 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To change the place of holding elections in the townships of Henderson and Todd, in the county of Huntingdon
Act 95 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the governor to incorporate the Mauch Chunk water company
Act 96 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the Berwick water company in Columbia county
Act 97 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Regulating election districts
Act 98 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Granting privileges to certain citizens of Hanover, York county, to construct a sewer
Act 99 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To include part of Juniata township, in the county of Perry, with Greenwood township, as an election district
Act 100 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act enjoining duties upon the attorney general, and for other purposes - repeal - proviso of section 3
Act 101 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to schools in Washington county
Act 102 of 1849 · 1849 · 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.