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.
5,371 laws of the 1850s
Constitution of 1838
Relative to the County Offices of Cambria county
Act 124 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Mercer and New Castle Railroad Company - amend - borrow money; election of directors; tonnage subject to a duty; may connect with railroads in Ohio
Act 125 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Directing the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in Philadelphia county, to appoint an examiner in the case of Elizabeth Cameron, a lunatic
Act 126 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
A State Road in Franklin county - repeal
Act 127 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Supplement to an act relating to inns, taverns and retailers of vinous and spirituous liquors - repeal - relating to graining licenses in the county of Chester
Act 128 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act re-chartering the North American Coal Company - amend - additional stock authorized to be issued
Act 129 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Tamaqua Gas Company
Act 130 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Erecting a third Ward of the borough of Easton, in the county of Northampton
Act 131 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract between Susan A. Bronson and Samuel M. Bronson
Act 132 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To erect the Borough of Zelienople into a separate election district; and relative to certain other Election Districts
Act 133 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to Mutual, Savings, Loans, and Building Associations in Montgomery county
Act 134 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Providing for the expenses of publishing Legislative Union
Act 135 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to the Collection of Taxes in Clarion county
Act 136 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act relative to the levying of school taxes in the townships of Columbus, Pinegrove, Deerfield and Sugar Grove, in the county of Warren - amend - extended to the township of Freehold in said county
Act 137 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the House of Refuge of Western Pennsylvania - amend - further sum appropriated to aid in the completion and organization of the House of Refuge
Act 139 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Shamokin Steam Ferry and Tow-boat Company - amend - number of directors reduced
Act 140 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Appropriating Certain Monies to be expended upon the North Branch Canal
Act 141 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To confirm the official acts of Jacob B. Coates, an Alderman of the County of Philadelphia
Act 142 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the trustees of the Mahoning Presbyterian English Congregation to borrow money
Act 143 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Burgess and Town Council of Bridgeport, Montgomery county, to Borrow Money
Act 144 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act relative to the estate of Kenneth J. Forsyth - amend - title confirmed
Act 145 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Certain laws relating to Roads in the county of Wyoming - repeal
Act 146 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the Strasburg and Willow Street Turnpike Road Company
Act 147 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Willow Street and Pequea Valley Turnpike Company
Act 148 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Canal Commissioners to examine the claim of Arthur Roney, of Blair county
Act 149 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the Pittsburg and Steubenville Railroad Company
Act 150 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to the Kittanning Bridge Company
Act 151 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Big Muncy Creek and Laporte Plank Road Company
Act 152 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Gettysburg Railroad Company - amend - time to select eastern terminus extended
Act 153 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing a Special Tax in the City of Erie
Act 154 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act for the establishment of a College at Easton - amend - vacancies; appoint five visitors
Act 155 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Skippack and Salfordville Turnpike Road Company, in Montgomery county
Act 156 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Town Council of the borough of Pottsville to enlarge and open a certain street in said borough
Act 157 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Canal Commissioners to convey title to John Ransom
Act 158 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To confirm the Title of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, to a lot of ground with the church erected thereon, situate on the east side of Franklin street, in the district of Spring Garden, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 159 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to Charter the Allegheny and Manchester Plank Road Company - amend - surrender; rate of tolls
Act 160 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To change the place of holding elections in Elkland township, Tioga county, and relative to certain other election districts
Act 162 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize County Appropriations to certain Charitable Institutions in Philadelphia
Act 163 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the relief of Lewis Durnall
Act 164 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to the Farrandsville Company
Act 165 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the relief of Mary Ewing, the widow of an old soldier
Act 166 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Lehigh Mountain Turnpike Company
Act 167 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Summit Plank Road Company
Act 168 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To vacate a certain Alley in the city of Philadelphia
Act 169 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Commissioners of Washington County to pay Peter Woolf, formerly sheriff of said county, the sum of four hundred dollars
Act 170 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To confer on Samuel Taylor Barclay, the rights and privileges of a child born in lawful wedlock
Act 171 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Attleboro' Hulmeville and Bristol Turnpike Road Company
Act 172 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Road Laws - amend - change the manner of assessing damages in the opening of public and private roads in the county of Franklin
Act 173 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the vacation of an alley in the city of Allegheny
Act 174 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to the erection of a new Jail in the county of Fayette
Act 175 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Canal Commissioners to examine the claim of John Cresswell and son, for damages sustained by the Sinking of the canal boat Wilderness, in the Pennsylvania Canal
Act 176 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the Estate of Ann Low, in Cumberland county
Act 177 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Borough of West Chester to establish a Public Square
Act 178 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Allegheny and New Brighton Plank Road Company
Act 179 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To legalize the appeal of Thomas Morris from the decision of the Auditor General and State Treasurer
Act 180 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Seamen's Navigation Company of America
Act 181 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize certain Trustees to sell Black Bear School House, in Exeter Township, Berks county
Act 182 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to bringing suits by creditors and others against executors, administrators, assignees and other trustees in certain cases, and serving notices and for satisfaction of mortgages, and opening judgments in certain cases
Act 183 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to encourage Manufacturing operations in this Commonwealth - amend - extended to Luzerne, Northumberland, Lehigh and Northampton counties; liability of stockholders; borrow money; capital stock
Act 184 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Pittsburgh Life Insurance Company - amend - name changed to Pittsburgh Life, Fire and Marine Insurance Company; increase capital stock; number of directors
Act 185 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Beaver Meadow Railroad and Coal Company - amend - exclusive control of the motive power used on said railroad
Act 186 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Canal Commissioners to examine the claim of Anna Hamilton, Elizabeth Hamilton, Mary Hamilton and Priscilla Hamilton
Act 187 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Bingham Mining and Lumbering Company - amend - shares of capital stock
Act 188 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the President, Managers and Company, of the Pittsburgh and Coal Hill Turnpike Road Company to borrow money
Act 189 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Miller's Run and Cross Creek Valley Plank Road Company - repeal
Act 190 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Granting an annuity to Christian Haldeman, of Lancaster county, a soldier of the Revolutionary War
Act 191 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the relief of Mary Decker, the widow of an old soldier of the Indian War
Act 192 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To ascertain and fix the boundaries of the streets and alleys in the borough of Kittanning, in the county of Armstrong
Act 193 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To alter and amend the Charter of the Presbyterian Congregation of the Borough of Lewistown
Act 194 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Confirming the Title of certain property sold by the United Brethren congregation of the City of Lancaster
Act 195 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Borough of Chester to borrow money, and other purposes
Act 196 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the relief of Rachel Provance, the widow of a soldier of the Revolutionary and Indian wars
Act 197 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the relief of Jane Lescure, the widow of an old soldier
Act 198 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Hanover Branch Railroad Company - amend - appointment of judges for elections
Act 199 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To establish a Public Ferry on the Allegheny river at Elliott's Ferry, in President township, Venango county
Act 200 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Reliance Insurance and Trust Company of Philadelphia - amend - powers of directors
Act 201 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To Reduce the width of a portion of Ninth Street, in the County of Philadelphia
Act 202 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Confirming a certain Conveyance of Real Estate
Act 203 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate Ebensburg and Loretto Plank Road Company
Act 204 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the North Philadelphia Plank Road Company - amend - borrow money; extension of road
Act 205 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To lay out and mark a State Road in Allegheny and Washington counties
Act 206 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act relative to the German Reformed Church of the city of Philadelphia - repeal
Act 207 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to Foreign Insurance Companies, their Policies and Agents in the counties of Wayne and Warren
Act 208 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To confirm the Title to certain Real Estate situate in the District of Kensington, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 209 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to Payment of Surveyors in laying out Roads in Indiana county
Act 210 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act granting a State Road in the counties of Huntingdon and Mifflin - repeal
Act 211 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to appoint Commissioners to run and mark the County Lines between York, Cumberland and Adams counties; to an Election District in Jefferson county; to the Shrewsbury and Hopewell Plank Road company; to the Union Church of Warrington township, York
Act 212 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To legitimate Rachel Grillbortzer, of Leacock township, Lancaster county
Act 213 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Coshecton and Great Bend Turnpike Road company - amend - proceedings for neglect of road; place of annual meeting
Act 214 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the time of holding Courts in the County of Blair
Act 215 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Ross and M'Candless Turnpike and Plank Road Company in the county of Allegheny
Act 216 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Montgomery Cemetery Company - amend - trustees
Act 217 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Designating the period for the commencement of the official term of the Commissioners and Auditors of Chester county
Act 218 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Commissioners of Northeast Township, Erie county to levy a Special Road Tax
Act 219 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Jones' Mills and Youghiogheny Plank Road company
Act 220 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to certain Election Districts
Act 221 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act relating to Roads, Highways and Bridges - amend - extended to the county of Bedford
Act 222 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Providing for the payment of Peter A. Browne, for certain copies of his work on Wool
Act 223 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to Elections in Lancaster county
Act 224 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the Collection of Taxes in certain townships in Berks and Lancaster counties
Act 225 of 1854 · 1854 · 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.