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
For the relief of the estate of Henry Frick, deceased; and authorizing the Byberry and Bensalem turnpike company to borrow money
Act 304 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Montrose and Great Bend plank road company
Act 305 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the governor to incorporate the Allegheny and Butler plank road company
Act 306 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to incorporate the borough of West Philadelphia - amend - relative to party walls, and to authorize the Kensington gas company to increase their capital
Act 307 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the governor to incorporate a company to erect a bridge over the Monongahela river, at the ferry of Jeremiah Davidson
Act 308 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To extend the charter of the Farmers' Bank of Bucks County
Act 309 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To vacate Long lane, in the county of Philadelphia; relative to Niles and Forbes streets, in the city of Pittsburg; authorizing the town council of the borough of Muncy, to borrow money; in reference to Richmond district, in the county of Philadelphia; in
Act 310 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the sale of the Williamsport and Elmira railroad
Act 311 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract between John F. Hunt and Noalius, his wife
Act 312 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract between Martha Forseman and Thomas M. D. Forseman
Act 313 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of William Keeler
Act 314 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To extend the charter of the Bank of Montgomery County
Act 315 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the regulation and continuance of a system of education by common schools
Act 316 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To extend the charter of the Lancaster Bank
Act 317 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Temperanceville and Noblestown turnpike or plank road company
Act 318 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Spring Garden health insurance company of Philadelphia county; relative to the collection of taxes in the townships of Upper Leacock and East Hempfield, in Lancaster county, and relative to the Lewisburg University
Act 319 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven railroad company - amend - increase capital stock; extending railroads; rights and privileges; rates of toll
Act 321 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act relative to the Pennsylvania State lunatic hospital - amend - commissioners authorized to sell and convey
Act 322 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of Bogle, Hall, and Bogle, late contractors on the North Branch canal; and relating to the Mutual insurance company of Warren county; and relative to Allegheny cemetery
Act 323 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Supplementary to the several acts incorporating the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown railroad company
Act 324 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the governor to incorporate the Wysauking and Wappasening plank road company
Act 325 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing a survey of the borough of Germantown
Act 326 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the White Haven turnpike road company
Act 327 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Meadville, Hartstown and Greenville plank road company
Act 328 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For extending the charter of the Farmers' and Drovers' Bank of Waynesburg
Act 329 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the school directors of Mount Pleasant township, Westmoreland county, to assess additional taxes for school purposes; to incorporate the Kensington steam navigation company; relative to school taxes in Allegheny county; to change the name of
Act 330 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of William Johnston, James Hepburn and E. G. Heylman
Act 331 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Whitemarsh and Plymouth turnpike road company - amend - collect toll on 22 feet wide road
Act 332 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act authorizing the governor to incorporate the Williams Valley railroad and mining company, in Dauphin and Schuylkill counties - amend - borrow money; mortgage their lands; power to levy money on shares of stock
Act 333 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Hebrew education society of Philadelphia
Act 334 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate York Springs and Berlin turnpike road company
Act 335 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Lancaster gas company
Act 336 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of Edward Bloomer
Act 337 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Lancaster and Sinking Springs turnpike road company
Act 338 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Incorporating the Methodist Episcopal church in the village of Haddington, Philadelphia county
Act 339 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of Rebecca H. Duncan and James M'Coy
Act 340 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to mechanics' liens in the counties of Westmoreland, Columbia and Elk
Act 341 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Chambersburg water company
Act 342 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the school directors of the borough of Pottsville, to sell certain real estate, and to increase the number of school directors in said borough; authorizing the school directors of the city of Pittsburgh to borrow money; to levy a tax on dogs
Act 343 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the laying out of a state road on the south side of the West Branch of the Susquehanna, from the bridge at Williamsport to Lock Haven
Act 344 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Susquehanna River and North and West Branch telegraph company
Act 345 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the destruction of wolves, panthers and other wild animals in the county of Franklin; relative to the destruction of fish in certain streams in said county; relative to fox and wolf scalps in Dauphin county; to extend certain auction laws to W
Act 346 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to supervisors in Franklin county; to elections of constables; to school district in Jefferson county; to voting in Mifflin county; to the extension of certain road laws in Susquehanna county; to the West Chester turnpike road in Delaware county;
Act 347 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act authorizing the governor to incorporate the Mill creek and Mine Hill navigation and railroad company - amend - relation to orphans' court deeds; extend railroad; deed made by co-executor
Act 348 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the governor to incorporate the Meadville and Mercer plank road company
Act 349 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Jenkintown and Fitzwater turnpike road company
Act 350 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to erect the town of Minersville, in the county of Schuylkill, into a borough - amend - boundaries; officers to be elected; collection of taxes; powers of town council; borrow money; dogs taxable; duties of supervisor; survey of streets; width of side
Act 351 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the extension of Cherry street, in the borough of Columbia, and to authorize the Columbia water company to erect an engine house in said borough
Act 352 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the governor to incorporate the Wrightsville and New Holland turnpike road company; relative to publishing the trial list and lists of jurors in York county; to authorize the commissioners of Southwark, Philadelphia county, to borrow money;
Act 353 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act relative to the venders of mineral waters; and an act relative to the Washington coal company; to sheriffs' sales of real estate; to the substitution of executors and trustees when plaintiffs; to partition in the courts of common pleas - amend - sell
Act 354 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to certain school districts in Jefferson, Indiana, Cambria, Westmoreland, Blair, Carbon, Schuylkill, Bedford, Chester, Delaware, Washington and Northampton counties; relative to supplying the several schools of the commonwealth with the state
Act 355 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To exempt property to the value of three hundred dollars from levy and sale on execution and distress for rent
Act 356 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act incorporating the Doylestown and Willowgrove turnpike road company - amend - penalty for not paying toll
Act 357 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act authorizing the laying out of a state road from the mouth of Larris creek, in Lycoming county, by the way of Wellsboro', Tioga county, to the New York state line, at or near Lawrenceville, in said county - amend - incorporate the Easton cemetery,
Act 358 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To extend the boundary line of the borough of Newton Hamilton, in the county of Mifflin; and relative to the supervisors of Fairfield and Summerhill townships, in the county of Crawford; and the Mount Joy Fencibles and Jackson Infantry, in the county
Act 359 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the borough of White Hall, in the county of Philadelphia; relative to the borough of Brownsville and Uniontown, in Fayette county; in relation to the publication of certain notices in Northumberland county; relative to Eleventh street,
Act 360 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Franklin and Butler plank road company
Act 361 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Titusville and Coopertown plank road company
Act 362 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Fixing the time of making assessments in Centre county
Act 363 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To prevent the killing of deer at certain seasons, in Union county; and relative to marriage certificates
Act 364 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To prevent the destruction of fish in certain streams of this commonwealth; extending the powers and privileges of the Health insurance company of Philadelphia; and directing the auditor general to give certificates of the claims of S. D. Karns and Henry
Act 365 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Erecting parts of Beaver and Mercer counties into a separate county, to be called Lawrence
Act 366 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Regulating election districts
Act 367 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To encourage manufacturing operations in this commonwealth
Act 368 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To create a sinking fund, and to provide for the gradual and certain extinguishment of the debt of the commonwealth
Act 369 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Upland manufacturing company
Act 370 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To change the township lines of Lake and Lehman, in the county of Luzerne, and for other purposes; relative to carrying convicts to the penitentiary from Luzerne county, and the prothonotary, clerk of the court, supervisor of Lehman township, and the
Act 371 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Erecting the village of East Birmingham into a borough; fixing the place of holding elections in Plum, Patton and Indiana townships, Allegheny county; relative to licensing hawkers and pedlers; and fixing the standard weight of oats
Act 372 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief Isaac Pauling, junior; supplementary to the act incorporating the York Savings Institution; and relative to the scrip issued by the Lehigh coal and navigation company
Act 373 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To enable Thomas Hoge to make a fee simple title; to enable the trustees under the wills of Ephraim Clark and Catharine Yohe, Alex Calder, administrator, Joseph B. Baker, guardian, and Nancy, John, and William Kline to sell certain real estate; relative t
Act 374 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to sheriffs' sales, and to the appointment of trustees in the county of Philadelphia, and to the appointment of trustees; incorporating the First Presbyterian church of Pottstown, Montgomery county, and changing the venue of a certain suit in
Act 375 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To exempt from taxation, (except for state and road purposes) the house for the employment and support of the poor in the county of Schuylkill, and for other purposes
Act 376 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Directing the manner of serving writs of summons in certain cases, in the county of Mercer
Act 377 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize Eli D. Pierce, to sell certain real estate
Act 378 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
More effectually to preserve the public grounds and public buildings of the commonwealth
Act 379 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the guardian of Catharine Alice Gloninger to sell certain real estate, and to release certain ground rents
Act 380 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of John Welsh for damage sustained on the Philadelphia and Columbia railroad; and to extend the time for completing the Bald Eagle and Nittany Valley turnpike and railroad
Act 381 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the North American telegraph company
Act 382 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of William P. M'Culloch
Act 383 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to the claim of Robert B. Wright
Act 384 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Authorizing the governor to incorporate the Bloominggrove and Mount Moriah turnpike road company
Act 385 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To vest in Phoebe Francis, wife of Thomas Francis, of Fayette county, all the interest of the commonwealth in the estate of Hugh Kelly, deceased
Act 386 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Changing the mode of electing the officers of the Springhouse, Northampton town and Bethlehem turnpike road company
Act 387 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of John Hanson
Act 388 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of certain soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian wars
Act 390 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Carrol hall association
Act 391 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act incorporating the Lewisburg bridge company - amend - votes of stockholders; not allowed to vote by proxy
Act 392 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To enable the court of common pleas of Susquehanna county to grant a new trial in a certain case therein named
Act 393 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the adjutant general to furnish arms to the Covington Guards; and to exempt the Bethlehem Artillerists, in the county of Northampton, and the Exeter Rifle Rangers, of Berks county, from parading with the militia; relative to the Schuylkill Va
Act 394 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To incorporate the Rio del Norte turnpike road company
Act 395 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Requiring the high constable of the borough of Pottsville to give security
Act 396 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act relative to the organization of courts of justice - amend - special courts; proceedings; chancery powers; borrow money
Act 397 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize and confirm the sale of certain real estate of the reverend Ezekiel Cooper, deceased; relative to the Norris estate; and to vacate certain streets in the district of Kensington
Act 398 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of Shirk and Royer
Act 399 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Act to enable the governor of this commonwealth to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the intersection of Front street and the Germantown road, in the Northern Liberties of the city of Philadelphia, through Frankford and Bristol to t
Act 400 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Declaring certain public highways; relating to a claim of Binghams and Dock; relating to the culverts in Richmond, in the county of Philadelphia; and incorporating the Olney classical institute in the county of Philadelphia
Act 401 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
To authorize the canal commissioners to examine the claim of Peter S. M'Closky
Act 402 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
Relative to premiums on fox and wild cat scalps in Forest and Jefferson counties; and for other purposes
Act 403 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
General Appropriation Act of 1849
Act 404 of 1849 · 1849 · Original text
For the relief of certain citizens of the borough of Allentown, Lehigh county; relative to the Kensington gas company; and relative to the road law in certain townships in Susquehanna county; the appointment of a commissioner to settle the affairs of the
Act 405 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.