Legal Definitions - call of the house

Definition: Call of the house is a legislative body's order that requires each absent member to attend the meeting, usually instructing the sergeant-at-arms to arrest and present each absentee.

Examples:

• When a legislative body needs to obtain a quorum, they can use the motion for a call of the house. This motion requires unexcused absent members to be brought to the meeting under arrest.
• A call of the house is not applicable in voluntary societies.

These examples illustrate how call of the house is used in a legislative body to ensure that all members attend the meeting and a quorum is present. It is a powerful tool to compel attendance and ensure that important decisions are made with the participation of all members.