Legal Definitions - call up

In the context of parliamentary procedure or formal meetings, call up refers to the act of formally bringing a specific item of business before a deliberative assembly, committee, or group for immediate discussion, debate, or a vote. It signifies that the item is ready and appropriate for the body to consider at that moment.

Here are some examples to illustrate this term:

• Imagine a city council meeting where several items are on the agenda. A council member might say, "I would like to call up the motion to approve the new public transportation initiative."

  This means the council member is formally introducing that specific motion for the council to begin discussing, debating, and potentially voting on immediately, rather than moving on to another agenda item.

• Consider a corporate board of directors meeting. After reviewing preliminary reports, the chairperson might state, "Let's now call up the proposal for the acquisition of Company X."

  By saying this, the chairperson is directing the board's attention to the acquisition proposal, making it the current subject for their detailed review, questions, and decision-making process.

• In a homeowners' association (HOA) meeting, a member might want to discuss a specific rule change. They could say, "I move to call up the proposed amendment to the landscaping guidelines."

  This action formally brings the amendment to the landscaping guidelines to the forefront of the meeting's discussion, allowing members to debate its merits and eventually vote on its adoption.