Senator Garcia, the committee's vice chairman, asked the Miami‑Dade County committee for a fact‑finding hearing on what he described as rising new HIV cases concentrated in African American and Hispanic communities and disproportionately affecting women.

Garcia requested that the committee convene a meeting with the Florida Department of Health and the state surgeon general to gather information and discuss possible responses. "I ask that maybe through this board, through this committee, we could hold maybe a hearing to come up with some recommendations," Garcia said, adding that the new cases were "predominantly in the African American community and the Hispanic community, and it's women who are being diagnosed at a much higher rate than anyone else." The request followed the vice chairman's remarks and a brief exchange in which Chairman Gonzales agreed a meeting was appropriate and suggested a "sunshine meeting" with the surgeon general and the Department of Health.

Why it matters: Garcia framed the request as a public‑health concern, saying the county should seek fact‑finding and recommendations. Chairman Gonzales said he believes Miami‑Dade County is "number 1 in new HIV diagnosis, in in in America," and agreed to pursue a public meeting and presentation; that statement is reported as his opinion in the meeting record.

The committee took two procedural votes during the session. Commissioner Bastien moved to set the printed agenda; Commissioner Hartman seconded the motion, and the committee approved it by voice vote. Later the committee voted to adjourn; the motion to adjourn carried by voice vote.

Discussion vs. action: Garcia's request for a hearing generated agreement from the chair to seek a presentation and follow‑up conversation with state health officials, but the transcript records no formal motion or vote establishing a task force, funding, or a scheduled hearing at the time of the meeting. The committee's formal actions recorded in the meeting were limited to adopting the agenda and adjourning.

Other notes from the meeting: The vice chairman also recognized John Carlos Bermudez for his prior service as committee chairman and praised the Miami‑Dade Police Department's illegal dumping unit, saying the unit investigated more than 2,800 cases last year and recovered over $1,500,000 in fines; he said those recoveries fund the unit's operations. A reasonable opportunity for public comment was opened and closed with no speakers registered.

Votes at a glance: The committee voted to set the printed agenda (moved by Commissioner Bastien; seconded by Commissioner Hartman) and subsequently voted to adjourn later in the session. The voice votes were recorded as "aye" with a quorum present.

Next steps: The meeting record shows an agreement to pursue a public (sunshine) meeting and presentation with the Florida Department of Health and the state surgeon general to discuss the county's new HIV cases; no date or formal referral was recorded in the transcript.