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 Boxborough Lyceum, in <ho county of Philadelphia, and for other purposes.
Act 634 of 1855 · P.L. 705 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Bedford Mineral Si>riiigs Association.
Act 635 of 1855 · P.L. 706 · 1855 · Scanned page
To extend the charter of the Manufacturers" and Mechanics' Bank of the citj and county of Philadelphia.
Act 636 of 1855 · P.L. 709 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page
To incorporate tke Danville Gas Company, in the County of Montour.
Act of 1855 · P.L. 710 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page
To extend the charter of the Bank of Perm Township, in the county of Philadelphia
Act of 1855 · P.L. 711 · May 9, 1855 · Scanned page
To incorptrate the Keystone Zinc Company.
Act 639 of 1855 · P.L. 711 · May 11, 1855 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Philadelphia Mutual Live Stock Insurance Company.
Act of 1855 · P.L. 714 · 1855 · Scanned page
To incorporate the town of i'alo Alio, in Schujlkill county, into a borough.
Act 642 of 1855 · P.L. 717 · July 1, 1855 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Metropolitan Insurance Assooiation of
Act 644 of 1855 · P.L. 720 · July 6, 1855 · Scanned page
ACT Relating to the authentication of Letters of Attorney, Protests of Notaries PaLHc, snd Assignments made out of the State, and to the Acknowledgment of Deeds.
Act 645 of 1855 · P.L. 724 · December 14, 1855 · Scanned page
To annul the marriage contract between Nathan B. Bebee and Emma, his wife.
Act 646 of 1855 · P.L. 726 · April 20, 1855 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Bingham Mining and Lumbering Company.
Act 647 of 1855 · P.L. 726 · March 17, 1855 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Allegheny County Agricultural Society.
Act 649 of 1855 · P.L. 731 · May 4, 1855 · Scanned page
A N A C T JFor the charter of a bank to be located in TTarren. Warren county, to bo called the Warrou Coanty Bank.
Act 651 of 1855 · P.L. 733 · May 5, 1855 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Warren and Ridgway Bridge
Act 652 of 1855 · P.L. 735 · April 3, 1855 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Wilkesbarre Cemetery Association.
Act 653 of 1855 · P.L. 739 · January 29, 1855 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Sinnemahoning and Pittsburg Railroad Company.
Act 654 of 1855 · P.L. 740 · May 15, 1855 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act ineorporating tbe Borough of Palo Alto, passed May twenty-ninth, ob« thousand eight hundred and fifty four.
Act 2 of 1855 · January 24, 1855 · Scanned page
Relative to the purchase of certain Books for the use of the Legislature.
Act 3 of 1855 · January 31, 1855 · Scanned page
Changing the time of holding the Spring Election in the Borough of Freeport, Armstrong county.
Act 4 of 1855 · January 31, 1855 · Scanned page
To repeal the Registration Act.
Act 5 of 1855 · January 31, 1855 · Scanned page
Relative to the pureliase of Sutherland's Legislative Manual.
Resolution of 1855 · P.L. 648 · January 23, 1855 · Scanned page
Providing for the payment of the amount due Special Messenger for serving writ of election to supply the vacancy in the Second Senatorial District
Resolution 3 of 1855 · P.L. 649 · January 31, 1855 · Scanned page
Kelative to the Payment of Certain Expenses.
Resolution 4 of 1855 · P.L. 650 · January 31, 1855 · Scanned page
Relative to Geological
Resolution 6 of 1855 · P.L. 651 · February 15, 1855 · Scanned page
for the payment of part of the account of Hamilton and Clyde, for publishing a Daily Record of the Proceedings of the Legislature.
Resolution 7 of 1855 · P.L. 651 · March 13, 1855 · Scanned page
Selative to the pay of S. Bentley, for serving writs, Ac, in the contested electio* case.
Resolution 8 of 1855 · P.L. 652 · April 5, 1855 · Scanned page
Relative to the Regimental Ping of the Se-^ond Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. serving in the War in Mexico.
Resolution 9 of 1855 · P.L. 652 · April 7, 1855 · Scanned page
L' T 1 0 N Pof the payment of expenses incurred by investigating the charges against the Northern Liberties Bank.
Resolution 10 of 1855 · P.L. 653 · 1855 · Scanned page
for tho payment of part of the account of Clyde k Hamilton, for publishing a Daily Record of tho proceedings of the
Resolution 11 of 1855 · P.L. 653 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page
Relative to the right of the State of New York to divert the water from the natural bed and channel of the Chemung river.
Resolution 12 of 1855 · P.L. 654 · April 26, 1855 · Scanned page
Relative to the New York and Erie Railroad Company. Resolution 1.
Resolution 13 of 1855 · P.L. 654 · March 27, 1855 · Scanned page
Kelative to the distribution of the Colonial Records and Pennsylvania Archives.
Resolution 14 of 1855 · P.L. 655 · 1855 · Scanned page
For the payment of the expenses incurred in investigating whether any corrupt or improper influences had been used to affect the election of United States Senator.
Resolution 15 of 1855 · P.L. 655 · May 7, 1855 · Scanned page
Eelative to the cLaitn of Burke & Gronder.
Resolution 16 of 1855 · P.L. 656 · May 8, 1855 · Scanned page
To provide for the Payment of the Expenses of Pnblication of the PennsylviiDia School Arcaitecture.
Act 25 of 1856 · P.L. 16 · February 2, 1856 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled '< An Act for the Regulation and Government of the Montgomery County Prison; to incorporate the Catfish, Brady's Bend and Butler Plank Road Comf)any; and in relation to the Easton Water Company," approved the twenty-eighth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
Act 32 of 1856 · P.L. 21 · February 4, 1856 · Scanned page
Supplementary to an act, entitled " An Act to incorporate the Northern Liberties Gas Company.
Act of 1856 · P.L. 22 · February 5, 1856 · Scanned page
For the relief of Margaret Lyons, of Indiana county, Pennsylvania, widow of a Soldier of the Indian Wars.
Act 35 of 1856 · P.L. 23 · February 5, 1856 · Scanned page
Relative to the Shawnee Iron Company.
Act 36 of 1856 · P.L. 23 · February 6, 1856 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Lock Haven and Flemington Plank Road and Turnpike Company.
Act 37 of 1856 · P.L. 24 · February 6, 1856 · Scanned page
To repeal an act of Assembly declaring Chartiers creek, in the county of Washington, a public highway.
Act 39 of 1856 · P.L. 25 · February 6, 1856 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the American Academj^ of Music, approved the twenty-fourth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
Act 40 of 1856 · P.L. 26 · February 6, 1856 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act authorizing the Governor to incorporate the Mahoning, Kittan* ning and Freeport Tiirn[iike Road Company, and for other purposes, approved the second day of April, one thousand eight hundred and » ihirty-eiglit.
Act 42 of 1856 · P.L. 30 · February 7, 1856 · Scanned page
For the relief of Margaret Ferguson, of Indiana county, widow of a Soldier of the Indian wars.
Act of 1856 · P.L. 31 · February 7, 1856 · Scanned page
Fflr the relief of Margaret Backhart, tbe widow of John Buckhart, a Soldier of the Indian wars.
Act 43 of 1856 · P.L. 31 · February 7, 1856 · Scanned page
To vest in Cliristian L. Rershey, the right and title of the Commonwealth to certain Real Estate.
Act 4 of 1856 · P.L. 32 · February 7, 1856 · Scanned page
For the relief of Catharine Leonard, widow of a Soldier of the Revolutionary war.
Act 45 of 1856 · P.L. 32 · February 7, 1856 · Scanned page
To vest in Christian L. Hershey, the right and title of the Commonwealth to certain Real Estate.
Act 46 of 1856 · P.L. 32 · February 7, 1856 · Scanned page
To authorize the Pennsytvania Railroad Company to purchase and hold eeitain Real Estate in the city of i'ittaburg, VTrereas, An agreement was made on the twenty-second day of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, for the purchase by said company of a certain )ot of ground on Liberty stieet, in the city of Pittsburg, on which was erected Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic church,
Act 47 of 1856 · P.L. 33 · 1856 · Scanned page
Supplementary to an act to incorporate the MarticviHe Turnpike Road Company; authorizing the Sunbury Canal Company to hold certain land;. relative to the Eric Cemetery; to Hawking and Peddling in Jefl'erson county; for the relief of Charles Witman, approved the eighteenth day of April, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fitty-three.
Act 48 of 1856 · P.L. 34 · February 7, 1856 · Scanned page
Authorizing tlie qualified voters of Butler township, in the county of Schuylkill, to elect two Supervisors.
Act 49 of 1856 · P.L. 35 · February 7, 1856 · Scanned page
Relating to the entry of Judgments in Bucks county.
Act 50 of 1856 · P.L. 35 · February 8, 1856 · Scanned page
Relative to the Catasauque and Foglesville Railroad Company
Act 51 of 1856 · P.L. 36 · February 11, 1856 · Scanned page
To incorporate the New Castlo Gas Light Company.
Act 52 of 1856 · P.L. 36 · February 11, 1856 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act authorizing the laying out a State Road leading from Reimersbui'g, in Clarion county, to the mouth of Mohoning creek, in Armstrong county, approved the twenty-seventh day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Act 53 of 1856 · P.L. 38 · February 11, 1856 · Scanned page
For the Security of certain Transporters on the Public Works of this Commonwealth.
Act 54 of 1856 · P.L. 38 · February 11, 1856 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Lewistown and Stone Valley Turnpike Road Company.
Act 55 of 1856 · P.L. 39 · February 12, 1856 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incnrporatt^ the.Teddo and Carbon Conntj Ruilroad Company," approved tiie third March, one thousand eiglit hundred and fifty-lour.
Act 57 of 1856 · P.L. 41 · February 12, 1856 · Scanned page
Autliorizing the Auditor General to examine the account of Willard Jackson.
Act 59 of 1856 · P.L. 42 · February 12, 1856 · Scanned page
To establish a Ferry across the river Delaware, in Upper Mt. Bethel township, Northampton county.
Act 60 of 1856 · P.L. 43 · February 12, 1856 · Scanned page
To incorporate a Company to locate and construct a Turnpike Road in the county of Bucks.
Act 61 of 1856 · P.L. 45 · 1856 · Scanned page
Relative to a certain lot or piece of Ground in the Borough of Harrisburg commonly known as the Presbyterian Burial Ground.
Act 62 of 1856 · P.L. 46 · February 13, 1856 · Scanned page
To on net relatinp; to Overseers of llie I'oor in the county of Allpgherv, approved Maicli fille.-i)th, ono thousand eight hundred and fifty five.
Act 64 of 1856 · P.L. 48 · February 13, 1856 · Scanned page
Fixing the time of holding the Courts in Juniata
Act 66 of 1856 · P.L. 50 · February 13, 1856 · Scanned page
To repeal an act relative to the appointment of Tax Collectors in Montgomery county.
Act 67 of 1856 · P.L. 51 · February 13, 1856 · Scanned page
the Burgess and Town Council of Troy, in Bradford county, to increase their Borough Tax.
Act 68 of 1856 · P.L. 51 · February 13, 1856 · Scanned page
Authorizing the Collection of certain Taxes in the borough of Columbus, Warren county.
Act 69 of 1856 · P.L. 52 · 1856 · Scanned page
Incorporating the Congregation of the United Brethren of the town of Nazareth and its vicinity.
Act 70 of 1856 · P.L. 52 · February 21, 1856 · Scanned page
Eequiring the State Treasurer to pay Eleanor Jamison certain moneys.
Act 71 of 1856 · P.L. 59 · February 21, 1856 · Scanned page
For the relief of the widow and children of George W. Barrack, of Lancaster county, deceased.
Act 72 of 1856 · P.L. 60 · February 22, 1856 · Scanned page
For the relief of Mary Frantz, a widow of a Soldier of the RevolutioDa»y war.
Act 73 of 1856 · P.L. 60 · February 22, 1856 · Scanned page
To change the name of the Harrison Rangers, of Jonestown, Lebanon county.
Act of 1856 · P.L. 62 · February 25, 1856 · Scanned page
To ohaage the time of holdfaig Oonrts in Bailer and Lawrence counties.
Act 76 of 1856 · P.L. 62 · February 25, 1856 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Clayton, Scliultzville and Boyerstown Turnpike Road Company.
Act 77 of 1856 · P.L. 63 · February 25, 1856 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitlerl " An Act to incorporate the Wabank Ilouse, on tbs banks of the Conestogo, in Lancaster county," approved on the seventh of May, one thousand eight hundred and fltty-five.
Act 78 of 1856 · P.L. 64 · February 25, 1856 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the Phihidelphia Steam Tug Company for Saving and Protecting Property, approved the second day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Act 79 of 1856 · P.L. 64 · February 25, 1856 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the President and Managers and Company of the Monongahela Bridge Company, at Brownsville.
Act 80 of 1856 · P.L. 65 · February 25, 1856 · Scanned page
To vacate Washington street, extending from Arch to Cherry streets, in the city ot Philadelphia.
Act 81 of 1856 · P.L. 66 · February 25, 1856 · Scanned page
Relative to the appointment of an Auctioneer in the borough of AHentown, in the county of Lehigh.
Act 82 of 1856 · P.L. 66 · February 25, 1856 · Scanned page
For l;^ying out a State Road tlirongli parts of Luzerne, Carbon and Schuylkill counties.
Act of 1856 · P.L. 67 · February 25, 1856 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act of March twenty-sixth, eighteen hundred and fifty-three, authorizing the Executors of Doctor Jacob Wagonseller, deceased, to sell and convey the lands therein mentioned, and to the supplement to said act, passed the twelfth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fiftyfive. Whekeas, William F. Wagonseller and Alexander Jordan, executors of Doctor Jacob
Act of 1856 · P.L. 69 · February 26, 1856 · Scanned page
To confer on Elias Hibbert the name of Elias Hibbert Dickens, and all the rights ^nd privileges of a child born in lawful wedlock.
Act 85 of 1856 · P.L. 70 · February 26, 1856 · Scanned page
Relating to the Tioga Improvement Company.
Act 86 of 1856 · P.L. 70 · February 26, 1856 · Scanned page
To annul the Marriage Contra(;t entered into between Helen H. Jordan and John V.
Act 87 of 1856 · P.L. 71 · February 26, 1856 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad Company," approved the fifth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
Act 88 of 1856 · P.L. 71 · February 27, 1856 · Scanned page
For the relief of Elizabeth Earden.
Act 89 of 1856 · P.L. 72 · February 28, 1856 · Scanned page
To confirm the title to certain Real Estate in the county of Bucks.
Act 90 of 1856 · P.L. 73 · February 28, 1856 · Scanned page
Relating to the German Lutheran Congregation of Immanuel's Church, in the city of Philadelphia.
Act 91 of 1856 · P.L. 73 · February 28, 1856 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Mount Vernon Cemetery Company.
Act 92 of 1856 · P.L. 75 · February 28, 1856 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate ihe West Branch Insurance Company.
Act 93 of 1856 · P.L. 76 · February 28, 1856 · Scanned page
For the relief of Mary E. Sonday, a widow of a Soldier of the Revolutionary war.
Act 94 of 1856 · P.L. 77 · February 28, 1856 · Scanned page
To establish a Steam Ferry across the Allegheny river at Freeport, in Armstrong county.
Act 95 of 1856 · P.L. 77 · February 28, 1856 · Scanned page
To authorise the collection of Road Taxes in Conemaugh township, Indiana county, in money.
Act 96 of 1856 · P.L. 78 · February 28, 1856 · Scanned page
Authorizing the President, Managers and Company of the Pittsburg and Coal Hill Turnpike Road Company to borrow money. oorrow
Act 97 of 1856 · P.L. 79 · February 28, 1856 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Monongahcla Turnpike Company.
Act 98 of 1856 · P.L. 80 · February 28, 1856 · Scanned page
To authovi.'ie the President and Managers of the Skippack Turnpike Road. Company to borrow money.
Act 99 of 1856 · P.L. 81 · February 28, 1856 · Scanned page
To change the name of the JShamokin Greys, of Shamokin, Noithnmbejland county.
Act 100 of 1856 · P.L. 82 · February 29, 1856 · Scanned page
To incorporate the West Branch High School.
Act 101 of 1856 · P.L. 82 · February 26, 1856 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the Gettysburg Railroad Company, approved the twenty-fourth day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
Act 102 of 1856 · P.L. 84 · March 7, 1856 · Scanned page
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.