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
To enable Religious Societies to purchase and hold real estate, and for other purposes
Act 106 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To incorporate the President and Managers of the Whitehaven and Lausanne Turnpike Road Company
Act 107 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To incorporate "The Grandom Institution"
Act 108 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To authorize Isaac Davis and others, Trustees under the Will of John Pemberton, deceased, to sell and convey certain Real Estate, and for other purposes
Act 109 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To incorporate the Muhlenburg Academy, at Union Centre, in the county of Luzerne
Act 110 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Act to ascertain certain parts of lines between the counties of Berks, Northampton, Northumberland, and Luzerne, and for other purposes - amend - commissioners to ascertain boundary lines; compensation; levy tax; Chester county highways; Belmont and Easto
Act 111 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To annul the Marriage Contract of Zera Anson Brown and Julia his wife and for other purposes
Act 112 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Authorizing the erection of an Academy for the use of the Sumneytown Society, for the advancement of Literature, in Montgomery county
Act 113 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
In relation to the Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad Company
Act 114 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Relative to the trail of certain actions for lands, in Schuylkill county, and for other purposes
Act 115 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Act to consolidate and amend the several acts relative to a General System of Education by Common Schools - amend - college appropriation; county commissioners to certify new school districts to superintendent of common schools; time of commencement of
Act 116 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To provide Revenue to meet the demands on the Treasury, and for other purposes
Act 117 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Supplement to the act to incorporate the Trustees of the township and borough of Wilkesbarre, the Trustees of the township of Plymouth, and the Trustees of the Township of Hanover, in the county of Luzerne - amend - extending to Providence township, in sa
Act 118 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
For the relief of Joseph Drake, senior, and others, soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian Wars
Act 119 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Act authorizing the Governor to Incorporate the Mahoning, Kittanning and Freeport Turnpike Road Company, and for other purposes - amend - termination of road altered; additional commissioners
Act 120 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
For the relief of Michael Weidner and others, soldiers and widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian wars
Act 121 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To incorporate the Wilkinsburg Railroad Company
Act 122 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To annul the Marriage Contract of Aaron C. South and Elizabeth his wife
Act 123 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To incorporate the Lancaster County Bank
Act 124 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To incorporate the Allegheny and Butler Turnpike Road Company, and for other purposes
Act 125 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To incorporate the Eagle Iron Company, and for other purposes
Act 126 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To incorporate the Kingston Water Company
Act 127 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
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Act 128 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Act to incorporate a Company to make a Turnpike Road from the borough of Blairsville, in Indiana county, to Mount Pleasant, in Westmoreland county - amend - commencement and termination; width of road; commissioners appointed
Act 129 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Authorizing the laying out of a State Road from Beaver county, to the east end of the Mahoning bridge, opposite the town of Edenburg, in Mercer county, and for other purposes
Act 130 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Authorizing a Loan
Act 131 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To confer on Elizabeth, John and Henry M'Guire, Augustus Boyle and Maria Mayberry, the rights and benefits of children born in lawful wedlock, and for other purposes
Act 132 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Authorizing the Wardens of the English Episcopal Church, in Huntingdon township, Adams county, to sell and convey certain real estate, and for other purposes
Act 133 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Marietta, Bainbridge, Falmouth and Portsmouth road company - amend - extend road; powers and restrictions; name changed; capital increased; lateral roads; Commonwealth may purchase road
Act 134 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To Incorporate the trustees of the township of Huntington, in the county of Luzerne, and for other purposes
Act 135 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To authorize the Governor to Incorporate the Cherry Ridge and East Stirling Turnpike Road Company, and for other purposes
Act 136 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To Incorporate the Alexandria Delaware Bridge Company
Act 137 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Relative to the Union Academy of Doylestown, in the county of Bucks
Act 138 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To Establish a Uniform Mode for the Valuation of Property and Assessment of Taxes
Act 139 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To authorize the Licensing of Stock Brokers, Exchange Brokers, and Bill Brokers, and to Regulate Contracts for the Purchase and Sale of Loans and Stocks
Act 140 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Relating to the Election of County Treasurers, and for other purposes
Act 141 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Relating to the Distribution of Damages arising from Canals and Railroads, and for other purposes
Act 142 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Incorporating the Penn Insurance Company, at the city of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny
Act 143 of 1841 · 1841 · 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 - amend - tax on unseated lots; powers extended; board of appeal; claim of H Longwell; property destroyed by mobs; actions for injury
Act 144 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
For the Relief of William Stewart, late a Contractor on the Erie Extension of the Pennsylvania Canal, and for other purposes
Act 145 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
To authorize the Governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the Monongahela and Coal Hill turnpike road, near the top of Coal Hill, in the county of Allegheny, in a direction towards Canonsburg, in the county of Washington, and
Act 146 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Act to Incorporate the Citizen's Mutual Insurance Company of Pennsylvania - amend - commissioners; directors; annual election; increase of capital; appointing officers; improve funds in loans
Act 147 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Relating to Orphans' Courts, and for other purposes
Act 258 of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution relative to the trial of Bemis and others, in York county
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution to suspend for a limited period an act supplementary to the various acts relating to Tavern Licenses, and for other purposes
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution relative to the Account of Joseph Mosher
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution relative to the Monongahela Navigation Company
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution relating to the Warren Bridge Company, and for other purposes
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution Authorizing a Loan
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution for the relief of John Doll, of Lehigh county
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution relative to the Repeal of the Sub-Treasury Law
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution relative to the Claim of John White and Company, and others
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution relative to the Public Lands
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution relative to the Public Printing and Binding
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution granting the Trustees of the Lumberman's Bank further time to wind up its Affairs
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution relative to the Repair of the Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution relative to the claim of Phillip Sullivan, David H. Lochart and Franklin Stratton
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution relative to the Bridge over the West Branch of the Susquehanna at Karthaus, belonging to the Commonwealth
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution for the relief of Pennell, Lenher, and Humes, manufacturers of locomotive engines
Resolution of 1841 · 1841 · Original text
Resolution relative to certain Election Districts
Act jr06 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Resolution directing a Nolle Prosequi to be entered in certain criminal prosecutions against George Handy
Act jr07 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
To quiet the title to certain lands granted for the use of William R. Smith in tail male general, and for other purposes
Act 1 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
To authorize Tobias Myers, guardian of Samuel H. Keller, minor child of Peter and Hetty Keller, to convey certain real estate, and for other purposes
Act 2 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act to divide the township of Germantown into two distinct wards - amend - to elect separately constables, justices, and supervisors
Act 3 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
For the relief of Elizabeth Stuck, a widow, and others, soldiers and widows of soldiers, of the Revolutionary and Indian Wars
Act 4 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
To confer on Samuel Tyson and others the rights and benefits of children born in lawful wedlock
Act 5 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Authorizing the Commissioners of Westmoreland and Allegheny counties to settle the accounts of Henry Alter, William Greer, and John M. Laird, for services rendered in locating a State road in said counties and for other purposes
Act 6 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act relative to the organization of Courts of Justice - amend - county of Lancaster annexed to eastern district of supreme court; causes removed from middle to eastern district; return of writs
Act 7 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
To authorize the Canal Commissioners to settle the accounts of the late firm of Mitchell and M'Farland upon the principles of equity and justice
Act 8 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act to authorize suit to be brought on the official bond of William B. Mitchell, State superintendent - amend - certain alley exempted
Act 9 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act relating to the prison of the county of Chester - amend - relative to the Dauphin county prison
Act 10 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
For the relief of the American Philosophical Society, held at Philadelphia, for promoting useful knowledge
Act 11 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act confirming the Title to certain Real Estate in the City of Philadelphia, in the heirs and assigns of Abraham K. Pritchette
Act 12 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act to graduate lands on which money is due and unpaid to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - amend - patenting lots in Erie, Waterford, Beaver, Franklin, and Warren extended
Act 13 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act regulating Lateral Rail Roads - amend - certain acts to extend to Tioga and Columbia counties
Act 14 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
To prevent the destruction of fish in the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers, and for other purposes
Act 15 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company - amend - execute mortgages for loan; where mortgage recorded
Act 16 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
For the relief of James Henderson
Act 17 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Relating to the claim of David Renno and Daniel Bentz, for apprehending two fugitives in the State of Ohio, and bringing them to this State
Act 18 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act relating to the Lien of Mechanics and others upon buildings - amend - mechanic's lien law extended to Bradford and Monroe counties
Act 19 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act to authorize the Pittsburg and Steubenville turnpike company, to change the location of their road in some instances, and to restrict the right of voting by proxy, and for other purposes - amend - changing location
Act 20 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Lycoming Navigation, Rail Road and Coal Company - amend - name changed to Red Run Coal Company
Act 21 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
To authorize the "Fourth Presbyterian Congregation in the city of Philadelphia," to borrow money
Act 22 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act to incorporate the German Lutheran Congregation, in the borough of Reading, in the county of Berks - amend - rules and by-laws; may sell certain property
Act 23 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Relative to the Borough of Meadville, and relative to Fire Engine and Hose Companies
Act 24 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
To authorize Christian Shrack, Trustee, under the Will of William Hyneman, deceased, to sell and convey certain real estate
Act 25 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Authorizing Joseph Konigmacher, William Konigmacher and William R. Gorgas, to sell certain real estate, the property of the society of Seventh-Day Baptists, of Ephrata, in the county of Lancaster
Act 26 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act incorporating the Penn insurance company, at the city of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny - amend - subscriptions; commissioners appointed; increase of stock
Act 27 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Authorizing certain Trustees under the will of Joseph Parker Norris, to let on ground rent certain parts of his real estate
Act 28 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Authorizing Jacob Frantz and John Hershey, or the supervisor of them, to sell and convey certain real estate, and for other purposes
Act 29 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
To incorporate the Lancaster City Gas Company
Act 30 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Regulating Election Districts and for other purposes
Act 31 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
In relation to the Theological Seminary at Canonsburgh
Act 32 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
To perfect the title to certain Ground Rents
Act 33 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act, to enable Hardman Philips, to receive certain conveyances, and grant and convey certain lands - amend - title confirmed to Sophia Philips; made lawful for Hardman Philips to sell
Act 34 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Acts relative to the Pittsburg and Butler Turnpike Road Company - amend - appoint a superintendent; duties, powers, and compensation of superintendent; tolls
Act 35 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
For regulating and maintaining Line Fences, and for other purposes
Act 36 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act to provide for the education of children at the public expense within the city and county of Philadelphia - amend - additional directors; annual elections; directors classed
Act 38 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
Act to establish the District Court of the city and county of Philadelphia - amend - actions of scira facias on mechanic's liens; judgment on mortgages; bonds and recognizances; letters testamentary granted out of the state
Act 39 of 1842 · 1842 · Original text
To provide for the Resumption of Specie Payments by the Banks of this Commonwealth, and for other purposes
Act 40 of 1842 · 1842 · 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.