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 the partition and valuation of the real estate of Samuel Hunter, late of Franklin county, decease
Act 103 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To erect Phoenixville, in Chester county, into a borough
Act 104 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For better regulation of the streets and alleys of the borough of Schuylkill Haven
Act 105 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to diminish the number of justices of the peace and supervisors in the township of South Coventry, Chester county - amend - extended to the township of North Coventry
Act 106 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Swatara company
Act 107 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Regulating streets in the borough of Indiana, in the county of Indiana
Act 108 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing Jonas Hauf to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 109 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the escheated estates of Philip Miller and Mary A. Morgan
Act 110 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the directors of the Philadelphia mutual insurance company to wind up and settle the affairs of the company, and distribute the assets among the stockholders and scripholders
Act 111 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relating to the roads in East Bradford township, Chester county
Act 112 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the auditors of the township of North Penn, to settle and pay the claim of Edward T. Tyson
Act 113 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the qualified voters of Mauch Chunk township, Carbon county, to elect an additional constable, and to authorize the election of a justice of the peace in Juniata township, Blair county
Act 114 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the election of township officers in Limestone election district, in the county of Union, and for the erection of part of Oliver township, in said county, into a separate election district
Act 115 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act incorporating the Pennsylvania coal company - amend - extend and connect their railroad
Act 116 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Cumberland Valley railroad company - amend - fund indebtedness of the company; rights of subscribers
Act 117 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Erie and Ohio railroad company - repeal
Act 118 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To regulate the taking up of lumber and flat-boats in the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela rivers and their tributaries, and to change the schute on Wise's ripple, in the Monongahela river, near Fredericktown
Act 119 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate certain trusts under the title of the Pequa railroad and improvement company
Act 120 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the auditor general to examine the claim of Green, Dorsey and Company, for materials furnished on the Juniata division of the Pennsylvania canal
Act 121 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Erecting parts of Saville and Juniata townships, in the county of Perry, into a separate election district, to be called Perry election district, and to fix the places of holding elections in Stuartson township, Potter county, and in Pine township, Crawfo
Act 122 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To confer on Mary Smeck, late Mary Boyer, of Berks county, the rights and privileges of a child born in lawful wedlock
Act 123 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To confer on Martha Irvin and William Irvin, the privileges of a person born in lawful wedlock
Act 124 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to prevent the disturbance of meetings held for the purpose of religious worship - amend - extend to the Delaware County institute of science
Act 125 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the sale of certain real estate in the county of Philadelphia
Act 126 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the Reading water company to increase their capital stock, and to borrow money
Act 127 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the board of school directors of the borough of Erie to borrow money
Act 128 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Wilkesbarre coal company
Act 129 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the commissioners of Lancaster county to borrow money
Act 130 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the schools in West Marlborough township, Chester county
Act 131 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the courts and county offices of Sullivan county
Act 132 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Erecting the borough of New Germantown, in the county of Perry, into a separate school district
Act 133 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act relating to hunting and fishing in the counties of Huntingdon, Carbon, Luzerne, Dauphin, Mifflin, Elk, Pike, Monroe and Butler - amend - penalty for killing pickerel or pike in the lakes or ponds of Pike or Monroe counties
Act 134 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relating to Monument cemetery of Philadelphia
Act 135 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of the Somerset and Bedford turnpike road company
Act 136 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
In relation to the accounts of Daniel M. Bowles, late a brigade inspector
Act 137 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act erecting the town of Birmingham, in the county of Allegheny, into a borough, and relating to the pay of the county commissioners of Lebanon county - repeal
Act 138 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Providing for laying out a state road from Mifflinville, in Columbia county, to Conyngham, in Luzerne county
Act 139 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Odd Fellows' cemetery company of Philadelphia
Act 140 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the canal commissioners to sell and convey a certain lot of ground in Lancaster county
Act 141 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to sales made by persons acting in a fiduciary capacity
Act 142 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Wolf, of Lancaster county
Act 143 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act authorizing a state road to be laid out from Landisburg, in Perry county, to Mifflintown, in Juniata county - repeal
Act 144 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the executors of Isaac Baugher, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 145 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To change the time of the commencement of the April and August terms of the several courts of the county of York
Act 146 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To provide a more effectual and economical mode of collecting state and county taxes in the counties of Chester, Franklin and Adams, for increasing and regulating the tax on dividends of banks and savings institutions, and for requiring supervisors and
Act 147 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to authorize the governor to incorporate a company to make a lock navigation on the Youghiogheny river - amend - duties of the company; privileges; rules and regulations; toll
Act 148 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Danville and Pottsville telegraph company
Act 149 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the German Evangelical Lutheran John's congregation, in the borough of Chambersburg
Act 150 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate Saint Joseph's hospital
Act 151 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To reinstate the capital and extend the charter of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Philadelphia
Act 152 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to incorporate the town of New Castle, in the county of Mercer, and the town of Blairsville, in the county of Indiana, and for other purposes - amend - extended to Allegheny county
Act 153 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act incorporating the Beaver Meadow railroad and coal company - amend - time for extension of railroad extended
Act 154 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the supervisors of the several townships in Clearfield county, to assess a special tax for the payment of township debts in said county
Act 155 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the courses of Gunner run
Act 156 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Presbyterian congregation of Beallsville, Washington county, Pennsylvania
Act 157 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Incorporating the Western insurance company of the city of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny
Act 158 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To extend the charter of the Lancaster Savings Institution
Act 159 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relating to Charlotte, in the Kensington district of the Northern Liberties, and vacating part of Beach street, in the city of Philadelphia, and for the widening of Noble street, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 160 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the cemetery of United American Mechanics and Daughters of America, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 161 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to authorize the governor to incorporate a company for erecting a permanent bridge over the river Delaware, at Stockport, in Wayne county - amend - construction of bridge; commissioners
Act 162 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act incorporating the Pennsylvania railroad company - amend - appointment and duties of viewers
Act 163 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To confer on James Kelly the rights and privileges of a child born in lawful wedlock
Act 164 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to authorize the governor to incorporate the Glen Hope and Little Bald Eagle turnpike road company - amend - extend turnpike
Act 165 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the legacy or interest of Daniel Hoffman, under the will of Valentine Hoffman, of the city of Lancaster, deceased
Act 166 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Acts authorizing the building of certain bridges in Berks county - amend - tolls altered
Act 167 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act erecting the town of Birmingham, in the county of Allegheny, into a borough - amend - paving streets; bonds for repayment; powers extended
Act 168 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act relative to the boroughs of Northumberland and Milton, and for other purposes - amend - responsibilities of owners to re-curb, re-pave, or repair foot-pavements
Act 169 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to authorize the governor to incorporate the Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill and Susquehanna railroad company - amend - time for commencing and completing work extended; erect a railroad bridge
Act 170 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract between Daniel C. King and Sarah, his wife
Act 171 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the First Reformed congregation of the borough of York and its vicinity
Act 172 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Lancaster County mutual insurance company - amend - borrow money
Act 173 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To enable the Chambersburg insurance company to wind up its affairs
Act 174 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Extending the limits of the borough of Kittanning
Act 175 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relating to the farm of the heirs of Adams Cambells
Act 176 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the sale of certain school houses in Lebanon, Montgomery and Westmoreland counties
Act 177 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act for the relief and employment of the poor of the city of Philadelphia, the district of Southwark, and the townships of the Northern Liberties and Penn - amend - bond required from master or commander of any ship or vessel, arriving at the port of Phil
Act 178 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act incorporating the Monongahela navigation company - amend - rate of toll; reservation
Act 179 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To facilitate the collection of debts against corporations
Act 180 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To establish a uniform standard for the measurement of bituminous coal, and authorizing the appointment of a wood inspector in the borough of Lewistown
Act 181 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To preserve and perfect the validity of judgments, entered upon the continuance or appearance dockets of the county of Lycoming
Act 182 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act providing for a survey of the borough of Frankford, in the county of Philadelphia - amend - Green street extended; assessment of damages
Act 183 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the laying out of a state road from Strattonsville, in the county of Clarion, to the Ridgeway and Warren turnpike road
Act 184 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act relative to roads and bridges in Warsaw township, Jefferson county, and for other purposes - repeal
Act 185 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the estate of Emily Harrison, deceased
Act 186 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To confirm the title to certain real estate, situate in the city of Philadelphia
Act 187 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the Red Bank association and ferry company, incorporated by the state of New Jersey, to hold certain real estate in the city or county of Philadelphia
Act 188 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to encourage the further development of the mineral resources of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania - amend - rights confined to sinking shafts and mining beneath the bed of such rivers
Act 189 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize John Gilpin, of Armstrong county, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 190 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to mutual fire insurance companies, and agencies of mutual fire insurance companies not chartered by this state
Act 191 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the village of Providence, in the county of Luzerne, into a borough
Act 192 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Wakefield manufacturing company, in Philadelphia county
Act 193 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Allegheny Institute and Mission church, in the county of Allegheny, and state of Pennsylvania
Act 194 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Island, in Conemaugh township, Cambria county, into a borough, to be called Conemaugh
Act 195 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Atlantic and Ohio telegraph company
Act 196 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of John Brotherline
Act 197 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To confirm and establish a certain state road in the county of Beaver, and to vacate another road parallel thereto
Act 198 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act in relation to obstructing Big Brokenstraw creek, in Warren county - amend - authorize Daniel Bemus to construct a dam in French creek; extended to a portion of Tionesta creek
Act 199 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act for the erection of a new county out of parts of Lycoming to be called Sullivan - amend - meeting and compensation of commissioners
Act 200 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the erection of a boom in the Susquehanna river, at or near the borough of Lock Haven, Clinton county
Act 201 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act enabling the governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the state line near the town of Emmettsburg, in the state of Maryland, through Waynesburg, Green Castle and Mercersburg, to intersect the Chambersburg and Bedford
Act 202 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.