Saturday, November 7, 2026Sign in or join
The 1776 ConstitutionThe laws of the land, set down plainly — and put to the people, one provision at a time.

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.

Clear

5,371 laws of the 1850s

Constitution of 1838

  1. For the relief of Joseph Danfleld.

    Act 351 of 1859 · P.L. 348 · April 2, 1859 · Scanned page

  2. Supplement to an act to authorize the Town Conncil of the borough of Towanda to levy a special naoney tax. Sectio:^ 1.

    Act 3 of 1859 · P.L. 349 · April 2, 1859 · Scanned page

  3. Appropriating Locks numbers eight and ten of the French Creek and Franklin Line of the Pennsylvania Canal, to the use of the county of Venango.

    Act 352 of 1859 · P.L. 349 · April 2, 1859 · Scanned page

  4. To Incorporate the members of the Olivet Methodist Episcopal Church ot the village of Coatesville, Chester county.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 350 · March 24, 1859 · Scanned page

  5. To incorporate the Northern Market Company.

    Act 356 of 1859 · P.L. 353 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  6. To incorporate the Delaware County Passenger Railroad

    Act 357 of 1859 · P.L. 354 · 1859 · Scanned page

  7. To incorporate the Anderson Creek Public Road and NavigatioiJ Coropany.

    Act 358 of 1859 · P.L. 356 · March 28, 1859 · Scanned page

  8. Requiring Railroad Companies to nialce uniform reports to the Auditor General.

    Act 359 of 1859 · P.L. 358 · April 4, 1859 · Scanned page

  9. Relating to the Records of Union county.

    Act 360 of 1859 · P.L. 359 · April 5, 1859 · Scanned page

  10. Authorizing the appointment of a Measurer of Paving

    Act 362 of 1859 · P.L. 360 · April 5, 1859 · Scanned page

  11. Authorizing the Supervisors of Wetmoie township, M'Kean county, to lay out and build a road.

    Act 363 of 1859 · P.L. 362 · April 5, 1859 · Scanned page

  12. Relative to incorporated Cemetery Companies.

    Act 364 of 1859 · P.L. 363 · April 5, 1859 · Scanned page

  13. To amend the act regulating boroughs, approved April third, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, so far as relates to Edinboro', in the county of Erie.

    Act 365 of 1859 · P.L. 364 · April 5, 1859 · Scanned page

  14. To incorporate the Philadelphia Ocean Steamship Company.

    Act 367 of 1859 · P.L. 365 · April 5, 1859 · Scanned page

  15. Relating to the Trevorton Coal and Railroad Company.

    Act 368 of 1859 · P.L. 370 · April 5, 1859 · Scanned page

  16. Supplement to the act incorporating the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Harbor Creek township, in the county of Erie.

    Act 369 of 1859 · P.L. 370 · April 5, 1859 · Scanned page

  17. to an act to incorporate the Chestnut Hill and Cheltenham Railroad Company.

    Act 370 of 1859 · P.L. 371 · April 5, 1859 · Scanned page

  18. To incorporate the Union Evangelical Lnlheran Congregation of the borough of York.

    Act 373 of 1859 · P.L. 373 · March 22, 1859 · Scanned page

  19. Supplementary to an act relating to Orphans' Courts, and for other purposes, iippruved the thuteenth day of October, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty.

    Act 374 of 1859 · P.L. 377 · April 6, 1859 · Scanned page

  20. To incorporate the Lancaster and Sunhill Turnpike Road Company, in the county of Lancaster.

    Act 375 of 1859 · P.L. 377 · April 6, 1859 · Scanned page

  21. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Sinnemahoning and Pittsburg Railroad Company, passed April thirteenth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six,

    Act 377 of 1859 · P.L. 380 · April 6, 1859 · Scanned page

  22. Supplement to the act incorpoiating the Spinnerstown and Goshcnhoppen Turnpike Company.

    Act 378 of 1859 · P.L. 381 · April 6, 1859 · Scanned page

  23. Eeiatiiig to Interest upon

    Act 379 of 1859 · P.L. 381 · April 6, 1859 · Scanned page

  24. Further to prevent the Disturbance of Public Meetings.

    Act 380 of 1859 · P.L. 382 · 1859 · Scanned page

  25. Supplement to an act to amend certain d'.-fects of the law for the more safe and jtihl transmission and secure enjoyment of real and personal estate approved twenty-seventh da}of April, one thouoand eight hundred and fifty-live.

    Act 382 of 1859 · P.L. 383 · April 6, 1859 · Scanned page

  26. Supplement to the act, entitled "An Act relating to Executors and Administrators," approved the twenty-fourth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.

    Act 383 of 1859 · P.L. 384 · April 6, 1859 · Scanned page

  27. To incorporate the Hestonville, Mantua and Fairmount Passenger Railroad Coiiipuny.

    Act 388 of 1859 · P.L. 389 · April 6, 1859 · Scanned page

  28. To incorporate the Roxborough Odd Fellows Hall Association.

    Act 389 of 1859 · P.L. 392 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  29. Supplement to the act incorporating the North Lebanon Railroad Company.

    Act 390 of 1859 · P.L. 393 · April 6, 1859 · Scanned page

  30. To incorporate the Green Hill Market Company. Sectio^j 1.

    Act 391 of 1859 · P.L. 394 · April 6, 1859 · Scanned page

  31. To establish the Penn Industrial Reform School.

    Act 392 of 1859 · P.L. 396 · April 6, 1859 · Scanned page

  32. To authorize the trustees of the Glen Run Baptist Church to sell Real Estate.

    Act 393 of 1859 · P.L. 399 · April 5, 1859 · Scanned page

  33. Supplement to an act to appoint Commissioners to view, lay out and construct a State Road in Lancaster and Chester counties, approved the fifteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundied and fifty-seven.

    Act 394 of 1859 · P.L. 399 · April 7, 1859 · Scanned page

  34. Supplement to an act incorporating the city of Philadelphia.

    Act 395 of 1859 · P.L. 400 · April 7, 1859 · Scanned page

  35. Changing the corporate name of the North-Western Coal Con^pany, and empowering the said company to negotiate a loan.

    Act 396 of 1859 · P.L. 403 · April 7, 1859 · Scanned page

  36. Supplement to the act incorporating tlio Clinton Count}' Coal Company, authorizing the bondholders to organize a company, under the name, 8t}le and title • of the Eagleton Coal Company.

    Act 397 of 1859 · P.L. 405 · April 7, 1859 · Scanned page

  37. To legitimate Margaret Hast.

    Act 399 of 1859 · P.L. 407 · April 7, 1859 · Scanned page

  38. To incorporate the Bordeaux Steamship Company.

    Act 400 of 1859 · P.L. 408 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  39. Relative to Taxes on Meadow Lands in the First Ward of the City of i'hiladoipbia.

    Act 402 of 1859 · P.L. 410 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  40. To incori)orate the Centre Valley Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 404 of 1859 · P.L. 412 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  41. To incorporate the Hollenback and Hanover Turnpike Road Companj'.

    Act 405 of 1859 · P.L. 413 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  42. the Finldepaiigh Coal Company to Borrow Money.

    Act 407 of 1859 · P.L. 416 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  43. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Hartsville and Centreville Turnpike Koad Company.

    Act 409 of 1859 · P.L. 418 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  44. To authorize the Auditor General and State Treasurer to re-examine the account between the Commonwealth and the President, Managers and Company of the IS^orthampton Bridge Company.

    Act 4 of 1859 · P.L. 421 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  45. To repeal a part of the fourth section of an act to appoint Road ComiDissioners to take charge of a portion of the Warren and Ridgway Turnpike Road in Elk and Foiest counties, approved the fifteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.

    Act 413 of 1859 · P.L. 422 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  46. To repeal the second section of an act providing for the Expenses of Roads and Poor, in Pitt townshij), in the county of Allegheny, approved the twenty-first of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and forty-six.

    Act 414 of 1859 · P.L. 422 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  47. Supplement to an act to incoiporate the Concstoga and Beaver Yalley Turnpike Road Company, passed twenty-seveuth March, one thousaud eight hundred and fifty-five.

    Act 415 of 1859 · P.L. 423 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  48. Supplement to an act incorporating the Hilltown and Sellersville Turnpike Road Company, approved April fourteenth, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.

    Act 416 of 1859 · P.L. 424 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  49. Supplement to an act to repeal former acts relating to the borough of Schuylkill Haven, in the county of Schuylkill, and extending the general features of an act regulating boroughs, approved third April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one, to said borough.

    Act 417 of 1859 · P.L. 424 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  50. Relative to the Exemption of Three ITiir.dred Dollars, and to the Widows and Children of decedents.

    Act 418 of 1859 · P.L. 425 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  51. To refund to the West Chester Gas Company, the amount of Tax overpaid by them to the State Treasury.

    Act 419 of 1859 · P.L. 426 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  52. To incorporate the New Britain Turnpike Koad Company.

    Act 420 of 1859 · P.L. 427 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  53. Supplement to an act relative to Huckstering in the counties of Berks and Lebanon, passed the ninth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 421 of 1859 · P.L. 428 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  54. To incorporate the Thirteenth and Fifteentli Streets Passenger Railway Company of the city of riiiladelphia.

    Act 402 of 1859 · P.L. 429 · April 8, 1859 · Scanned page

  55. To incorporate the Pa-ssenger Railroad Relief Association of Philadelphia. Whf.reas, It hath been clearly shown, by experience, that as- Preamhie sociations for benevolent purposes, am.ongst those whose pursuits and daily avocations are of kindred nature, have often been productive of great advantage to those concerned therein; therefore, we, whose names are aifixed to the annexed

    Act 423 of 1859 · P.L. 431 · March 30, 1859 · Scanned page

  56. To incorporate the Chester Steamboat Company.

    Act 424 of 1859 · P.L. 433 · March 29, 1859 · Scanned page

  57. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad.

    Act 425 of 1859 · P.L. 434 · April 9, 1859 · Scanned page

  58. To incorporate the Pine Grove Turnpike Road Company, in Centre county.

    Act 427 of 1859 · P.L. 439 · April 9, 1859 · Scanned page

  59. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Lykens Valley Railroad and Coal Companj, in Dauphin county, approved the seventh day of April, A. D. one thonsand eight hundred and thirty.

    Act 428 of 1859 · P.L. 440 · April 9, 1859 · Scanned page

  60. For the Payment of the Claim of Mary Wilson, widow of Thomas Wilson.

    Act 429 of 1859 · P.L. 440 · April 9, 1859 · Scanned page

  61. To incorporate the Union Market Conipany of

    Act 430 of 1859 · P.L. 441 · April 9, 1859 · Scanned page

  62. Supplement to an act to incorporate the Fairmount ^[al■ket Company, passed the sixteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and filty-nine.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 443 · April 9, 1859 · Scanned page

  63. Changing the venae of a certain action from Union to Northumberland county.

    Act 4 of 1859 · P.L. 444 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  64. Supplement to an act of the New York and Middle Coal Field Railroad and Coal Company.

    Act 433 of 1859 · P.L. 445 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  65. Supplement to an act fo incorporate the "Yardleyville Delaware Bridge Company, approved the fifteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five.

    Act 435 of 1859 · P.L. 447 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  66. Authorizing the settlement of the account of Levi G- Clover, late Collector at Pittsburg.

    Act 437 of 1859 · P.L. 449 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  67. the act incorporating the Attleboro', Hulmeville and Bristol Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 438 of 1859 · P.L. 449 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  68. Supplementary to the acts incorporating the borotrgh of

    Act 439 of 1859 · P.L. 450 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  69. Authorizing the Supervisors of Carbon township, in Huntingdon county, to provide a Lock-up House at Coalmont, in said county.

    Act 44 of 1859 · P.L. 451 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  70. To cure an irregularity in the incorporation of the borough of Carmichaels, and to declare certain Judicial Proceedings therein valid.

    Act of 1859 · P.L. 452 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  71. To authorize the payment of the claim of John C. Cauch, of Huntingdon county.

    Act 443 of 1859 · P.L. 453 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  72. Relative to the Enrolment Tax on certain Acts of Assembly.

    Act 444 of 1859 · P.L. 454 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  73. Supplement to the act to limit and regulate Sequestrations in case of the Erie Canal Company, approved the ninth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty.

    Act 445 of 1859 · P.L. 455 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  74. Supplement to an act to incorporate the West Philadelphia Railway Company.

    Act 446 of 1859 · P.L. 455 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  75. To legalize the Township Election in Terrytown, Bradford county.

    Act 448 of 1859 · P.L. 457 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  76. Authorizing the removal of the Dead from the Burying Ground deeded to the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Norristown, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, to the Norris City Cemetery.

    Act 449 of 1859 · P.L. 457 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  77. To adjust the account of F. Knox Morton, late Treasurer of the city and county of Philadelphia.

    Act 450 of 1859 · P.L. 458 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  78. To authorize the Town Council of the borough of HoUidaysburg, to license Drays and Carts.

    Act 451 of 1859 · P.L. 459 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  79. Providing for the Recording of Certain Papers in the county of Schuylkill.

    Act 452 of 1859 · P.L. 460 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  80. To authorize the State Treasurer to refund to Samuel Baird certain money paid by him.

    Act 453 of 1859 · P.L. 461 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  81. To incorporate the Philadelphia and Olney Railroad Company.

    Act 4 of 1859 · P.L. 462 · April 1, 1859 · Scanned page

  82. Authorizing tlie Sheriff of Mifflin county to appoint William Shimp Deputy Sheriff thereof.

    Act 454 of 1859 · P.L. 462 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  83. In relation to the Ferry at Shaniokin Dam.

    Act 456 of 1859 · P.L. 464 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  84. Relating to the Election of Overseers of the Poor in the boronRh of Blairsville, and in the township of Barrell, in the county of Indiana.

    Act 457 of 1859 · P.L. 465 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  85. To change the time for Electing the Officers of the Lehigh and Berk? County Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 458 of 1859 · P.L. 466 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  86. Declaring Willow Creek, in Warren and M'Kean counties, a Public Highway.

    Act 459 of 1859 · P.L. 467 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  87. To incorporate the Pequea and Beaver Valley Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 460 of 1859 · P.L. 467 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  88. In relation to the borough of North Lebanon, lu the countjof

    Act 461 of 1859 · P.L. 468 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  89. Supplement to an act repealing the act relative to Roads and Bridges in the county of Mercer.

    Act 462 of 1859 · P.L. 469 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  90. 63. ^•.;/";','■ '•.'." an act For the relief of Sabina Bachman, of Northampton county.

    Act 4 of 1859 · P.L. 470 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  91. Relating to the East Mahanoy Railroad Company.

    Act 464 of 1859 · P.L. 470 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  92. To incorporate the Feach Bottom and Maryland Line Turnpike Road Company.

    Act 465 of 1859 · P.L. 472 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  93. Annexing the buildings of William Bratton to Beale township, in Juniata county.

    Act 466 of 1859 · P.L. 473 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  94. act revived upon payment of enrolmeut tax. Additional corporators. Certain corporations authorized to subscribe to stock. liiTnitatiou To the act to incorporate the Penn Haven and White Haven Railroad Company, approved the fourth day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.

    Act 467 of 1859 · P.L. 474 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  95. Declaring Eliza N. Kramer an adopted daughter of James Gray, of Sewickley.

    Act 468 of 1859 · P.L. 475 · March 1, 1859 · Scanned page

  96. Supplement to an act incorporating the Carbondale and Providence Plank Road and Turnpike Company.

    Act 469 of 1859 · P.L. 476 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  97. Authorizing tbe Payment of Andrew M'Clelland, a grandson of John M'Clelland, a Soldier of the Indian Wars, a balance due the said John

    Act 472 of 1859 · P.L. 478 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  98. For the relief of Thomas Bridgens, Collector of the Military Tax for the borough of Lock Haven, in the county of Clinton, for the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.

    Act 473 of 1859 · P.L. 479 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  99. Supplement to an act approved the twentieth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fitly-four, entitled " An Act in relation to Establishing and Changing the Places for holding General Elections throughout the

    Act 474 of 1859 · P.L. 479 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

  100. To authorize the Auditor General and State Treasurer to open and resettle the account between the Commonwealth and the Farmers' and Drovers' Bank of Waynesburg.

    Act 476 of 1859 · P.L. 481 · April 11, 1859 · Scanned page

By decade

Constitution of 19681968–today

Constitution of 18741874–1967

Constitution of 18381838–1873

Constitution of 17901790–1837

Constitution of 17761776–1789

Province of Pennsylvania1682–1775

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.