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 payment of Constables for attending the General and Township Elections
Act 226 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Concerning the School district of the South ward of Borough of Meadville
Act 227 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the appointment of an Auctioneer in Clinton county, and in the borough of Meadville, in Crawford county
Act 228 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To fix the time for holding the Courts in Clinton county
Act 229 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the Relief of Elsie Van Gorden, widow of an old soldier of the Revolutionary war
Act 230 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Donaldson Improvement and Railroad Company - amend - shares may be increased; borrow money
Act 231 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Supervisors of Brown and Armagh townships, Mifflin county, to subscribe to the Capital Stock of the East Kishacoquillas and Millheim Turnpike Road company
Act 232 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Cosalo Iron company to subscribe to the Capital Stock of the Northwestern Railroad company, and to hold Property in other States
Act 233 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Towanda and Franklin Railroad Company - amend - authority to hold lands; name changed to Barclay Railroad and Coal Company; liability of stockholders
Act 234 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act for the incorporation of the Pittsburgh, Kittanning and Warren Railroad company - amend - authorized to sell bonds
Act 235 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Arcadian Institute of the Borough of Orwigsburg, in the county of Schuylkill
Act 236 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Inland Safety Mutual Insurance company
Act 237 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the Estate of Wharton Craig, deceased
Act 238 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To Prevent Fishing in Big Chiquesalungo creek, in Lancaster county
Act 239 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Delaware, Lackawana and Western Railroad company - amend - authorized to subscribe to the capital stock
Act 240 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Appointing Commissioners to examine the transactions and conduct of the Northampton Bank of Lehigh county
Act 241 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act for the Encouragement of the Volunteers of the City and County of Philadelphia - amend - extended to the volunteers of every county
Act 242 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To change the time of settling the Township Accounts in the county of Huntingdon
Act 243 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To review part of a State Road in Tell township, Huntingdon county
Act 244 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act relative to the Lancaster County Prison - enactment - appointment of treasurer of prison
Act 245 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Pattonsville and Woodberry Turnpike Road company to borrow money, and to secure payment thereof
Act 246 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To establish a Ferry over the river Susquehanna at Bishop's Landing, in Bradford county
Act 247 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Meadville Theological School - repeal - proviso of section 5
Act 248 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To divide the Borough of Lewisburg, in the county of Union, into Two Wards; and relative to certain Election Districts
Act 249 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Drake's Ferry and Broad Top Railroad Company - amend - payment of letters patent
Act 250 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To supply the Borough of Huntingdon with Water
Act 251 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the extension of the Jersey Shore, Pine Creek and State Line Railroad
Act 252 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the Extension of one of the Streets of the Borough of Ebensburg, in Cambria county
Act 253 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Prompton and Honesdale Plank Road Company
Act 254 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Borough of Jamestown - amend - separate election district; adoption of a town plot confirmed
Act 255 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the First Reformed Congregation of the borough of York and its vicinity - amend - hold additional land to be used as a cemetery
Act 256 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Canal Commissioners to Assess Damages arising from the destruction of Property on the Public Works
Act 257 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the Pittsburgh and Connelsville Railroad Company
Act 258 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the German Reformed Congregation, in the Northern Liberties of the city of Philadelphia, to sell Real Estate
Act 259 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Lawrenceville and Sharpsburg Plank Road Company to borrow money
Act 260 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to Wager Street, in the County of Philadelphia
Act 261 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Clearfield Plank Road Company
Act 262 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Borough of Freeport - amend - vacation of street; office of high constable abolished; borough tax
Act 263 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to Dogs in Allegheny, Chester, Northampton, Schuylkill and Lancaster counties
Act 264 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Borough of East Mauch Chunk - amend - borrow money; tax to be levied; erection of works
Act 265 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To re-annex certain Farms to Clarksville Borough, in Mercer county
Act 266 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize a Settlement of Accounts between Franklin township, in Columbia county, and Mayberry township, in Montour county
Act 267 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the West Chester and Unionville Plank Road Company
Act 268 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act relating to Taxing Dogs in Rome township, Bradford county, and relative to a certain street in Philadelphia county - repeal - sections 8 and 9
Act 269 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to authorize the Governor to incorporate the Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroad Company - amend - company to form a union with the Baltimore and Philadelphia Railroad Company and create a common stock
Act 270 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the United States Insurance Annuity and Trust Company - amend - contracts with minors; issuing certificates for all moneys deposited in trust
Act 271 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act authorizing the laying out of a State Road from the Wilkesbarre and Bridgewater turnpike road at or near the town of Dimmock, Susquehanna county, to the Lackawanna and Western railroad, near the Tunkhannock depot, in the county of Wyoming, and
Act 272 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Altoona and Clearfield Plank Road and Turnpike Company - amend - capital stock; receiving tolls
Act 273 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act relating to Roads, Highways, and Bridges - amend - extended to the county of Erie
Act 274 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Susquehanna Coal and Coal Mountain Company - amend - par value of shares of stock
Act 275 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Kensington and Frankford Plank Road Company - amend - written agreement to be filed; tolls
Act 276 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Supervisors of the Borough of Northumberland, in the county of Northumberland, to collect Road Taxes, assessed and levied in said borough, in money
Act 277 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To settle the claim of Captain Benjamin Douglass, and others
Act 278 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To prevent obstructions to the navigation of Oswayo Creek or its tributaries, in the county of Potter
Act 279 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Trustees of the Danville Academy to borrow money
Act 280 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Gordonville Turnpike or Plank Road Company
Act 281 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Judges of the District Court of Allegheny County, to regulate fees in Equity Cases
Act 282 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Burgess and Town Council of the Borough of Media to erect Water Works, et cetera
Act 283 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Declaring certain Lands lying in Clarion county, to be attached to Venango county
Act 284 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the Lancaster Gas Company
Act 285 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act for establishing a Health Office, and to secure the City and Port of Philadelphia from the introduction of Pestilential and Contagious diseases - amend - salaries of Lazaretto Physician and Quarantine Master
Act 286 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Farmer's, Drovers' and Butchers' Drove yard, in the county of Philadelphia
Act 287 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the First Baptist Church, Newtown township, Delaware county - amend - charter amended
Act 288 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act relative to fishing in Indian creek, in Fayette county - repeal
Act 289 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Commissioners of Franklin county to borrow money for certain purposes
Act 290 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the destruction of Wolves, Panthers, Foxes and Wild Cats, in the county of Clarion
Act 291 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To improve the Road from the flats of Grave Creek to the White House Tavern, on the Allegheny mountain
Act 292 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the American Medical Museum of Philadelphia
Act 293 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Regulating the Elections in the county of Butler, under the new organization of the townships thereof
Act 294 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To change the mode of electing the Town Council of the Borough of Brownsville, in the County of Fayette
Act 295 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act establishing an Academy in Carmichaelstown, in the county of Greene - amend - trustees; continuance in office; business committee
Act 296 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to the road laws in Franklin and Valley Townships, in the county of Chester
Act 297 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Schuylkill County Miner's Asylum
Act 298 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
In relation to the claim of Samuel R Richards, a Canal Contractor
Act 299 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Aramingo Avenue and Plank Road Company
Act 300 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to the Contingent Expenses of the Legislature
Act 301 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Brookville and Clarionton Plank Road Company
Act 302 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Burlington and Mansfield Plank Road Company
Act 303 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Butler and Sunbury Plank Road Company
Act 304 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Tionesta Plank Road Company - amend - time extended for completion of road
Act 305 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to the Borough Tax of Johnstown
Act 306 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Mechanics' Insurance Company of Philadelphia
Act 307 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Little Schuylkill and Susquehanna Railroad Company - amend - entitlement to a special jury
Act 308 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to the Hawkers and Pedlers in Lycoming county
Act 309 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To Punish any person Injuring or Destroying a certain Board Walk in Allegheny county
Act 310 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To lay out and mark a State Road in Westmoreland and Somerset counties
Act 311 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Bethlehem Gas Company - amend - enter into and upon lands to lay pipes
Act 312 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Construction of a Railroad upon Canal Street, Harrisburg
Act 313 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To confirm the title to certain Real Estate in the City of Philadelphia
Act 314 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To facilitate the Collection of Ground Rents
Act 315 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the escheated Estate of John Chase, a negro man
Act 317 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Loretto and Carrollton Plank Road Company
Act 318 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to the Guardians of the Poor of Manayunk
Act 319 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
In relation to the Church and Burying Ground of the United Brethren and Associate Reformed Congregations in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland county
Act 320 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Confirming the title to certain Real Estate in the City of Philadelphia
Act 321 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the Relief of Catharine Hubler and Catharine M'Intyre, widows of old soldiers of the Revolutionary War
Act 322 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to Land Patents in this Commonwealth
Act 323 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Declaring the Little Brokenstraw creek, in Warren county, a public highway, and for other purposes
Act 324 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Legalizing the assessment of Certain Taxes by the Burgess and Town Council of the borough of Columbus, Warren county
Act 325 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the relief of Rosanna M'Gary and Barbara Stuchell, widows of old soldiers, and for the relief of James Lydick, a soldier of the Indian war
Act 326 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.