Sen. Andy Kim

Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the use of exotic or wild animals in performances of a traveling animal act, such as a circus, carnival, or parade. The prohibition does not apply to zoos, aquariums, research facilities, wildlife sanctuaries, and other entities. The prohibition also does not apply to domestic animals or farm animals.

PFAS Definition Improvement Act This bill broadens the definition of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, in relation to the reporting requirement under the Toxic Substances Control Act. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. Specifically, the bill provides that PFAS include those substances that contain at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.

Protecting our Veterans' Memories Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay a state, state agency, or political subdivision of a state $525 as a plot or internment allowance for spouses and children of veterans who are buried in a cemetery owned by the state, agency, or political subdivision. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to pay a plot or internment allowance for spouses, surviving spouses (including if they have remarried), or minor children (those under 21 or under 23 if they are attending an approved educational institution). The VA may pay the allowance for unmarried adult children of certain veterans.

VA Overpayment Accountability Act This bill prescribes procedures by which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and debt collectors shall correct errors submitted to consumer reporting agencies about the indebtedness of certain veterans. Specifically, the bill requires these corrections for veterans who are indebted due to participation in a VA benefits program. The bill also requires the VA to update its information technology for the processing of VA benefits. Lastly, the bill requires the VA to self-audit to determine the frequency by which overpayments are made to individuals participating in VA benefits programs.

This resolution recognizes the members of the Armed Forces who conducted the noncombatant evacuation operation airlift from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, and honors the service and sacrifice of the men and women who participated in and supported Operation Allies Refuge. The resolution applauds the members of the U.S. Transportation Command and the Air Mobility Command of the Air Force who provided hope, saved lives, and executed their mission.

IDEA Full Funding Act This bill provides permanent, mandatory funding for the grant program that assists states and outlying areas in providing special education and related services to children with disabilities.

This concurrent resolution declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.

Partner with Korea Act This bill creates an E-4 treaty trader visa category for up to 15,000 nationals of South Korea each fiscal year who are coming to the United States solely to perform specialty occupation services, subject to various requirements. The 15,000 limit shall only apply to principal aliens and not the spouses or children of such aliens. (A specialty occupation is one that requires the theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or higher.)

Honoring Our Promises through Expedition for Afghan SIVs Act of 2021 or the HOPE for Afghan SIVs Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to postpone the medical exam requirement for qualifying citizens or nationals of Afghanistan seeking entry into the United States as special immigrants. Specifically, this bill applies to an existing program that provides special immigrant status to an individual (or the spouse or child of such an individual) who (1) faithfully performed sensitive and trusted duties for the U.S. government or the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan on or after October 7, 2001, and (2) has experienced or is experiencing an ongoing serious threat due to the performance of those duties. Under this bill, the State Department and DHS may jointly issue a blanket waiver of any requirement for such individuals to undergo a medical exam before admission into the United States. DHS shall ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, that individuals admitted under such a waiver undergo medical exams no later than 30 days after admission into the United States. Such an individual shall be admitted as a conditional permanent resident. DHS shall remove the conditions once the individual receives and passes a medical examination.

Protect and Serve Act of 2021 This bill establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly assaulting a law enforcement officer and causing serious bodily injury (or attempting to do so) in circumstances that affect interstate commerce. It imposes criminal penalties—a prison term, a fine, or both—on a violator.