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.
7,883 laws of the 1860s
Constitution of 1838
Relating to the Hazelton Coal Company.
Act 302 of 1865 · P.L. 299 · March 9, 1865 · Scanned page
Authorizing the directors of the poor and house of employment, of Lancaster county, to sell real estate, and erect a county hospital and asylum for insane, idiotic and sick paupers.
Act of 1865 · P.L. 300 · March 10, 1865 · Scanned page
Entitled *'An Act enabling the township of Shaler, in Allegheny county, to levy and collect a tax, for the payment and refunding of certain debts, in said township, and for raising money to pay bounties to volunteers.
Act 305 of 1865 · P.L. 301 · March 10, 1865 · Scanned page
Relating to bounties, in the township of Lower Windsor, York county.
Act 307 of 1865 · P.L. 303 · March 10, 1865 · Scanned page
To anthoTize the levying and collecting of certain taxes, in Oakland township, Susquehanna county.
Act of 1865 · P.L. 305 · March 10, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Pennsylvania Transportation and Insurance Company.
Act 311 of 1865 · P.L. 306 · March 10, 1865 · Scanned page
To increase the pay of the county commisaiouers, county auditors, jurors and assessors, of M'Kean and Clearfield counties.
Act 312 of 1865 · P.L. 307 · March 10, 1865 · Scanned page
To create a separate election district of the borough of Saxonburg, in th«r county of Butler.
Act 313 of 1865 · P.L. 308 · March 10, 1865 · Scanned page
To enable soldiers to vote at the borough and township elections, in the counties of Bedford, Somerset^ Fulton, Indiana, Jefferson, Cambria, Montgomery, Washington and Westmoreland, and in the borough of York. S^CTiOK I.
Act 315 of 1865 · P.L. 309 · March 10, 1865 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act to incorporate the West Philadelphia Passenger Railway Company, approved May fourteenth, one thousand eight hundred and fiftyseven.
Act 317 of 1865 · P.L. 313 · March 10, 1865 · Scanned page
To au act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Farmers' Railroad Company, of Venango county," approved April tenth. Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Act 318 of 1865 · P.L. 314 · March 11, 1865 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act incorporating the Western People's Telegraph Company, approved April twenty-third, one thousand eight hundred and sixtyfour, authorizing them to extend their lines, and connect with, and purchase, other telegraph lines.
Act 319 of 1865 · P.L. 314 · March 11, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Pliilipsburg Coal, Iron and Oil Company, of tlie state of Pennsylvania.
Act 321 of 1865 · P.L. 317 · March 13, 1865 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the North- Western Coal and Iron Company, approved the nineteenth of April, one thousand eight hundred and fiftysix.
Act 322 of 1865 · P.L. 319 · March 13, 1865 · Scanned page
To promote the more certain and equal assessment of taxes, in Philadelphia.
Act of 1865 · P.L. 320 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
To vacate a portion of Second street, in the borongh of Waterford, and donate the same, together with the old burying ground, to the Waterford Cemetery Corporation.
Act 325 of 1865 · P.L. 324 · March 9, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate tiie Pliiladelpliia and Nova Scotia Gold Company.
Act 326 of 1865 · P.L. 325 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
To extend to the Connecting Railway Company the powers, in respect tz> their roadway and sidings, granted to the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad Company, by an act, approved the twentysecond day of July, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and
Act 327 of 1865 · P.L. 326 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
To appoint additional notaries public, for the counties of Philadelphia, Dauphin and Venango.
Act 328 of 1865 · P.L. 327 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate tlie Jones Ferry Company.
Act 329 of 1865 · P.L. 328 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act for the protection of shepp, in certain counties, approved April eighth, one thousand eight lixmdred and sixtv-two.
Act 331 of 1865 · P.L. 330 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Monongahela Valley Telegraph Company.
Act 332 of 1865 · P.L. 330 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
To repeal an act, entitled "An Act to authorize the governor to incorporate the Shamokin Steam Ferry and Tow Boat Company.
Act 333 of 1865 · P.L. 334 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Norris Park Mining Company, of Colorado. SECTif :t 1.
Act 334 of 1865 · P.L. 335 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
Relative to roads in Uwchlan township, Chester county, and East Bethlehnm and East Pike Run townships, Washington county.
Act 335 of 1865 · P.L. 336 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
To provide for the re-examination and payment of the claim of James J. Dull, against the commonwealth. WuEREAS, By an act of assembly, entitled "An Act for the re-examination of the claim of James J. Dull," approved the tirst day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty one, Thomas E. Cochran, Eli Slifer and William Overfield, were authorized to adjudicate the claim of said
Act 336 of 1865 · P.L. 338 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Montour County Horse Thief Detecting and Insurance Company.
Act 337 of 1865 · P.L. 339 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
gxixilitt Mwltmmt "To an act incorporating the Betlileliem Iron Company, approved Apri'i seventb, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, under title of the Saucona Iron Company.
Act 338 of 1865 · P.L. 341 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
To authorize the administrator of Joseph EngJeman, deceased, to convey certain real estate AYiiEREAS, On the twenty-seventh day of April, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, Michael p]ngleman, of White Deer township. Union county, Pennsylvania, entered into a written agreement, under seal, with his son, Joseph Engleman, for the sale of two tracts of land, (one improved, and the
Act of 1865 · P.L. 342 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
To amend the fee bill, as to constatle?, in the city of
Act 341 of 1865 · P.L. 344 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
In relation to the action of dower.
Act 342 of 1865 · P.L. 345 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
For the relief of Abraham Sloiigh, of Lancaster county, a soldier of the war of eighteen hundred and twelve. Secti(>n 1.
Act 344 of 1865 · P.L. 346 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Fairmount Female College of Philadelphia. Sectiox 1.
Act 345 of 1865 · P.L. 347 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
To Incorporate the Quaker City Business College, of Philadelphia.
Act of 1865 · P.L. 349 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the Phoenix Iron Company, approved the twentyseventh day of April, Anno Domini one thcusand eight hundred and fiftyfive.
Act of 1865 · P.L. 350 · March 14, 1865 · Scanned page
Relating to bounties, in Washington township, Snyder county.
Act of 1865 · P.L. 353 · March 15, 1865 · Scanned page
Relating to bounty taxes, iu Great Br;nd townthip, Susquehanna county.
Act of 1865 · P.L. 354 · March 15, 1865 · Scanned page
To authorize the appointment of a sufficient police force, for the borough of York.
Act 353 of 1865 · P.L. 356 · March 15, 1865 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to incorporate the Philadelphia and "West Chester Turnpike Road Company.
Act 354 of 1865 · P.L. 356 · March 15, 1865 · Scanned page
Authorizing the election of additional supervisors, in Middle Paxton township, in the county of Dauphin.
Act 355 of 1865 · P.L. 357 · March 15, 1865 · Scanned page
Regulating the salary of the treasurer of Clinton county.
Act 356 of 1865 · P.L. 358 · March 15, 1865 · Scanned page
To authorize the superintendent of common schools, of York and Lancaster counties, to draw funds from the county treasury, to defray the expenses of teachers' county institutes therein.
Act 358 of 1865 · P.L. 360 · March 15, 1865 · Scanned page
Relative to the Parryville Bridge Company, and transferring its franchises to the Carbon Iron Company.
Act 359 of 1865 · P.L. 361 · March 15, 1865 · Scanned page
Incorporating the Lehigh County Horse Insurance Company, for the insurance of the lives of horses, and the apprehension and detection of horse thieves.
Act of 1865 · P.L. 363 · March 15, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Beale Hotel Company, in the borough of Chester, in the county of Delaware.
Act 362 of 1865 · P.L. 365 · March 15, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Lewellyn Petroleum Company.
Act 363 of 1865 · P.L. 367 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To enable tlie Cherry Run Petroleum Company to increase their capital stock.
Act 365 of 1865 · P.L. 369 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Girty Run Coal Company,
Act 367 of 1865 · P.L. 370 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To consolidate the Sbawmut and Ridgway Railroad Company, the Pencsylvania Gaanel Coal Company, and the Shawmut Cannel Coal Company.
Act 368 of 1865 · P.L. 373 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Valley Coal Company.
Act 369 of 1865 · P.L. 374 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
Incorporating the Penn Township Insurance Company, for insuring of horses, and for the apprehension and detection of horse thieves.
Act 370 of 1865 · P.L. 377 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Hollidaysburg Water Company.
Act 372 of 1865 · P.L. 379 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To authorize the directors of the poor of Schuylkill county to make an additional estimate, for the year one thousand eight hundred and sixtyfive, and requiring the commissioners to collect a tax therefor.
Act 373 of 1865 · P.L. 380 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
Relating to M'CIure township, in Allegheny county.
Act 374 of 1865 · P.L. 381 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To increase the fees of certain officers, in the county of Schuylkill.
Act 375 of 1865 · P.L. 382 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Octoraro and Quarryville Railroad Company,
Act 376 of 1865 · P.L. 383 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
In relation to paving, in the bojougli of Franklin, in tlie county of Venango.
Act 377 of 1865 · P.L. 385 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Glen Works.
Act 378 of 1865 · P.L. 387 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Upper Lehigh Coal Company.
Act 379 of 1865 · P.L. 389 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To au act, entitled "An Act exempting certain counties from the provisions of an act appropriating the military tax, of the several counties of the commonwealth, to the relief fund of said counties.
Act 380 of 1865 · P.L. 391 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To increase the fees of the constables of the counties of Lancaster, Allegheny and Dauphin.
Act 381 of 1865 · P.L. 391 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Union Passenger Railway Company of Philadelphia," approved April eighth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, authorizing said company to extend their track.
Act 383 of 1865 · P.L. 394 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
Appointing commissioners to lay out and open a state road, in the counties of Potter and Clinton.
Act 386 of 1865 · P.L. 397 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To repeal an act relative to the draining certain lands, in Pollock township, Lawrence county, approved the seventh day of May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Act of 1865 · P.L. 399 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To legalize the a,cts of the boards of school directors of Borough township, in the county of Beaver, and of the Independent school district of said township, in the assessment and collection of a tax, for bounty purposes, in said districta.
Act 390 of 1865 · P.L. 402 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To arrtliorize the school directors of Spring Garden towTiship', in thecounty of York, to levy and collect an additional bounty tas, to pay a debt contracted in filling the quota of aaid township, on the last call for five hundred thousand men, in one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Act 391 of 1865 · P.L. 404 · March 16, 1865 · Scanned page
To extend the time for the payment of the enrolment tax, on the bill to divorce Henry Nellis from Anna, his wife, approved March nineteenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
Act 392 of 1865 · P.L. 405 · March 17, 1865 · Scanned page
Relative to apprentices.
Act 397 of 1865 · P.L. 410 · March 17, 1865 · Scanned page
In relation to tlie Cameron Coal Company.
Act 399 of 1865 · P.L. 413 · March 17, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate the Antis Coal and Iron Company.
Act 400 of 1865 · P.L. 414 · March 17, 1865 · Scanned page
Authorizing the Lehigh and Susquehanna Coal Company to hold one thousand more acres of coal and timber land.
Act 401 of 1865 · P.L. 415 · March 17, 1865 · Scanned page
To exempt Ross, Polk and Eldred townships, in Monroe cotinty, froiii the provisions of an act extending the provisions of the act for the protection of sheep and taxing of dogs, in the county of Blair, approved the twentieth of May, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
Act 402 of 1865 · P.L. 416 · March 17, 1865 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Fairmount Park and Delaware River Passenger Railway Company," authorizing an extension of track.
Act 403 of 1865 · P.L. 417 · March 17, 1865 · Scanned page
To authorize the auditor general and state treasurer to allow Andrew J. Rhey, former treasurer of Cambria county, a. credit for uncollected licenses, on the final settlement of his account.
Act 404 of 1865 · P.L. 417 · March 17, 1865 · Scanned page
Allowing the United Republic Petroleum Company to hoi 1 real estete.
Act 405 of 1865 · P.L. 418 · March 17, 1865 · Scanned page
authorize the chief engineer and surveyor of the city of Philadelphia to revise the grades of certain portions of Bridgewater street, in the Twenty-foiirfh ward of the city of Philadelphia.
Act 406 of 1865 · P.L. 419 · March 17, 1865 · Scanned page
Authorizing John Alloway, trustee of the Church of God, at Broad Top, and Kimber A. More, to sell and convey a certain lot of ground and church edifice, in Carbon township, Huntingdon county, and to apply the proceeds thereof towards the liquidation of a debt against a church edifice, at New Clranada, Fulton county.
Act 407 of 1865 · P.L. 419 · March 17, 1865 · Scanned page
To insorporate the Pittsburg and Souora Gold and Silver Mining Company.
Act 410 of 1865 · P.L. 423 · March 20, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate tlie Pittsburg Academy of Music.
Act 411 of 1865 · P.L. 424 · March 20, 1865 · Scanned page
To authorize the North Branch Canal Company to change their name, style and title, to the Pennsylvania and New York Canal and Railroad Company, and to construct a railroad along arfe upon the towing path, or berme bank, of their oanal.
Act 412 of 1865 · P.L. 427 · March 20, 1865 · Scanned page
For the relief of James Moorhead, late treasurer of Indiana county, and John Tiernau, treasurer of Fayette county.
Act 413 of 1865 · P.L. 428 · March 20, 1865 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act, approved the fourth day of February, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Western Market Company," changing the value of the stock of the said company.
Act of 1865 · P.L. 430 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
To prevent the destruction of partridges and pheasants, in the townships of Monroe and IVun, and the borough of Selinsgrove, in the county of Snyder.
Act 417 of 1865 · P.L. 432 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
Increasing the fees of justices of the peace and constables, in the county of Washington.
Act of 1865 · P.L. 434 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
Authorising the school directors of Valley school district, in the county of Chester, tc borrow money.
Act 422 of 1865 · P.L. 437 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
To repeal an act to vacate apart of Clierry street, now called Slontgoinery avenue, in the city of
Act 425 of 1865 · P.L. 441 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
Relative to the compensation of the directors of the poor and house of employment, of Lehigh county.
Act 427 of 1865 · P.L. 442 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
Authorizing the election of one citizen of the United States, who may be a non-resident of Pennsylvania, as a director of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company, and to ratify such election.
Act 429 of 1865 · P.L. 443 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
Supplement to an act to prevent cattle, horses, sheep and hogs, from running at large, in the county of Delaware.
Act 430 of 1865 · P.L. 444 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act incorporating the Plymouth and Wilkesbarre Railroad and Bridge Company, approved the twelfth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
Act 431 of 1865 · P.L. 444 · March 17, 1865 · Scanned page
To Vacate Ellwood lane, between Fourth and Sixth streets, in the Twentyfifth ward, city of Philadelphia.
Act 434 of 1865 · P.L. 446 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
To authorize tte commissioQers of Lehigli county to borrow money.
Act 435 of 1865 · P.L. 447 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
To increase the pay of the comnaiissioners of Lehigh connty.
Act 436 of 1865 · P.L. 447 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
Relating to legal advertising, in the conatj of Lycoming.
Act 438 of 1865 · P.L. 449 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
To vacate so much of Carpenter street, as lies west of Twenty sixth street, in the city of Philadelphia.
Act 440 of 1865 · P.L. 452 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
Supplement to the act iBcorporatiug the Keystone Zinc Company, authorizing said company to Lorrow money.
Act 441 of 1865 · P.L. 453 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
Relating to the paviug of streets, in Oil City, in Venango county,
Act 4 of 1865 · P.L. 461 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
To incorporate tlie Reading Passenger Railway Company.
Act of 1865 · P.L. 462 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
For the repayment of money borrowed, for the payment of volunteers, in the counties of Cumberland and York.
Act 447 of 1865 · P.L. 465 · March 21, 1865 · Scanned page
To increase tlie compensation of the commissioners and auditors of the county of Mifflin.
Act 4 of 1865 · P.L. 466 · March 21, 1865 · 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.