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
To incorporate the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania
Act 327 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To legalize the first election held in Cold Spring Township, in the county of Lebanon, and relating to certain election districts
Act 328 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To legitimate Emeline Funk, of Fayette county
Act 329 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the relief of Eve Harper
Act 330 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the relief of certain Widows of Old Soldiers
Act 331 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
In relation to Elections and Election Districts
Act 332 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Shade Gap, Shirleysburg and Juniata Plank Road Company
Act 333 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the establishment of a Ferry over the Delaware river in Wayne county
Act 334 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the opening of Streets in the City of Lancaster
Act 335 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Regulating certain Election Districts
Act 336 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to certain Election Districts
Act 337 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Holmesburg and Delaware River Plank Road Company - amend - shares of capital stock reduced
Act 338 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Laurel Hill and Belsano Plank Road Company
Act 339 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Regulating certain Election Districts
Act 340 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
In relation to fines and Forfeitures in Allegheny county
Act 341 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the Relief of Jacob Cook, a soldier of the Indian War, and Mary Fry, of Dauphin county, widow of an old soldier
Act 342 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the President and Managers of the Sinking Run Plank Road Company
Act 343 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act relating to Roads and Bridges - amend - clerk of the quarter sessions of the county of Philadelphia shall procure and keep sufficient dockets
Act 344 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Birmingham and Brownsville Macadamized Turnpike Road Company - amend - rate of tolls
Act 345 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the University of Northern Pennsylvania - amend - trustees authorized to apply balance for the erection and repairs of buildings
Act 346 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Blockley and Merion Plank Road Company - amend - borrow money; connections of road
Act 347 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Frankford and Oxford Plank Road and Turnpike Company - amend - rate of toll
Act 348 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the Richboro' and Feasterville Turnpike Road Company
Act 349 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Norristown and Springtown Turnpike Road Company
Act 350 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act in relation to the Railroad between Chambersburg and Hagerstown - amend - create preferred stock
Act 351 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Penrose Ferry Bridge Company - amend - construct piers and pivot bridge
Act 352 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to prevent the obstruction of the Cowanesque Creek - amend - floating saw-logs
Act 353 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act relating to the Sale and Conveyance of Real Estate - amend - acknowledgment of deeds; investment of trust monies
Act 354 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Changing the organization of the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County
Act 355 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Rock Cabin and Tangascootac Railroad Company - amend - borrow money; number of directors; corporate name
Act 356 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To provide for the Payment of the Claim of William Shultz against the Commonwealth
Act 357 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the Estate of the Honorable John Bredin, late of Butler county, deceased
Act 358 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the relief of Margaret Peters, the widow of an old soldier of the Revolutionary and Indian wars
Act 359 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the appointment of Notaries Public in Lycoming and Allegheny counties
Act 360 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad Company - amend - increase of capital stock
Act 361 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing Robert Elliott, of Ickesburg, Perry County, to sell the Temperance Hall and lot of ground upon which the same is erected, in said town
Act 362 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to Common School Districts, organized since June 1, 1851
Act 363 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Fayette County Mutual Fire Insurance Company - amend - board of managers; employment of capital stock
Act 364 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the North Pennsylvania Railroad Company
Act 365 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize Henry Garrett and Richard G. Stotesbury, to construct a Trunk to float Lumber in Potter and Clinton Counties
Act 366 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Coudersport and Oswayo Plank Road Company
Act 367 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Milford and Matamoras Railroad Company - amend - borrow money
Act 368 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Susquehanna Railroad Company - amend - rate of toll
Act 369 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the relief of certain Soldiers and Widows of soldiers of the Revolutionary and Indian wars
Act 370 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To legitimate Samuel Shoff
Act 371 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To prevent Streets being laid out through the grounds of the Pennsylvania Hospital, without the consent of the Managers
Act 372 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Pennsylvania Railroad Company - amend - increase loans
Act 373 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act relative to Auctioneers in the Borough of Harrisburg - repeal - sections 11 and 12
Act 374 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Construction of a certain Water-Course in Clinton county
Act 375 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Commissioners of Lawrence county to loan money
Act 376 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act rechartering North American Coal Company - amend - additional stock
Act 377 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to the Centre and Kishacoquillas Turnpike Company
Act 378 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To extend the Montevue Railroad, and connect the same with the Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad, in the county of Somerset
Act 379 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the borough of Franklin, in the county of Venango, to levy additional taxes, and to borrow money for purposes therein expressed
Act 380 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Councils of the City of Pittsburgh to open part of Ferguson street and to close Bell's Alley
Act 381 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Mount Union Cemetery in Allegheny - amend - extended to purchase as adjoins the western side of the original ten acre lot
Act 382 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to amend an act directing the mode of selling unseated lands for taxes - amend - time of sale
Act 383 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Commissioners of York county to sell and convey certain Real Estate
Act 384 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Uniontown and Connellsville Plank Road Company
Act 385 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Towanda and Burlington Plank Road Company - amend - borrow money
Act 386 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Declaring the Two Mile Run, in Sheffield Township, Warren County, a public highway
Act 387 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act relative to Turnpikes - amend - extend to the Belmont and Easton Turnpike Company
Act 388 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To prevent the destruction of Fish in Poponoming Lake and Lake Creek, in Monroe County
Act 389 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate the Pittsburgh and Steubenville Turnpike Road Company - amend - rates of toll
Act 390 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Extending the Charter of the Lackawanna and Susquehanna Railroad Company
Act 391 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Huntington and M'Aleavy's Fort Turnpike Road Company
Act 392 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To Legitimate George W. Colwell
Act 393 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To incorporate the Wecacoe Plank Road Company
Act 394 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Laws relating to the Borough of New Bedford, Lawrence County - Repeal
Act 395 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing a State Road from Gettysburg, Adams county, to the Buck Tavern, in Lancaster county
Act 396 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the salaries of Associate Judges in this Commonwealth
Act 397 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To amend the charter of the Borough of York, York county
Act 398 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing Charles Homet to establish a Ferry on the Susquehanna river
Act 399 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act Taxing Dogs in Chester county, and for other purposes - amend - extend to the Counties of Clarion, Armstrong and Jefferson
Act 400 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Giving assent to the Act to authorize the Easton Gas Company to supply the inhabitants of the village of Phillipsburg, in the county of Warren, with Gas Light of the New Jersey Legislature
Act 401 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Saint John Street Methodist Episcopal Church, in the City and County of Philadelphia, to sell certain real estate
Act 402 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act authorizing the laying out of a State Road from the town of Goldsborough, York county, to Bryson's lime kilns, in Cumberland county - repeal
Act 403 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To vacate a certain street partly in the borough of Schuylkill Haven and partly in the township of North Manheim, Schuylkill county
Act 404 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the courts of Luzerne county, to appoint viewers to assess damages sustained by Joseph Edwards, in vacating a certain highway
Act 405 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Regulating fishing in the Big Sewickly creek and its tributaries in Westmoreland county
Act 406 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the Canal Commissioners to sell certain Real Estate
Act 407 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To prohibit the Hunting of Deer, with Dogs, in the county of Perry
Act 408 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Erie City Railroad Company - amend - borrow money
Act 409 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
For the relief of Sarah Johnson, Elizabeth Miller and Mary Elliott, widows of old soldiers
Act 410 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Newtown Square and Paoli Plank Road Company to borrow money
Act 411 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To establish a Wharf-line in the River Delaware at Bristol borough and township, in the County of Bucks
Act 412 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to certain School Districts in Mifflin and Juniata counties
Act 413 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To authorize the North Lebanon Railroad Company to extend their road
Act 414 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relating to Hawkers and Pedlers in the counties of Lehigh, Dauphin, Sullivan, Wyoming and Bucks
Act 415 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
In relation to establishing and changing the places for holding general elections throughout the Commonwealth
Act 416 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Lebanon Valley Railroad Company - amend - votes; subscription
Act 417 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
To annul the marriage contract between Ross Cunningham and Helen Vandenburg his wife
Act 418 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the Estate of John Habcracker, deceased
Act 419 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to the assessment of taxes in the county of Delaware
Act 420 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act incorporating the Schuylkill Valley Navigation and Railroad Company - amend - increase capital stock
Act 421 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to incorporate in the township of Lower St. Clair, in Allegheny county a borough to be called South Pittsburgh - amend - councilmen to be elected; damages; regulations; scales, weights, and measures; management of fires; nightly watch; fines and penal
Act 422 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Authorizing the Town Council of the Borough of White Haven to borrow money
Act 423 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to Mechanics' Liens in the county of Schuylkill
Act 424 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Relative to Bounties on Fox scalps in the counties of Schuylkill and Greene
Act 425 of 1854 · 1854 · Original text
Act to authorize a State Road from New Brighton, Beaver county, to the city of Allegheny, Allegheny county - amend - review and re-locate part of road; restore part of road
Act 426 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.