SACRAMENTO -- The California Senate has approved legislation that would require a public health and public health evaluation before the state could order aerial spraying to control agricultural pests.

Democratic Assemblyman Jared Huffman introduced the bill in response to the Schwarzenegger administration's aborted plans to spray to control the light brown apple moth in the San Francisco and Monterey areas.

It was canceled in June after months of public uproar.

The San Rafael assemblyman's bill would require the state or county agency considering spraying to hold at least one public hearing to consider alternatives.

The state would also have to evaluate the public health risks and reveal each ingredient in the pesticide to be sprayed.

Friday's 23-12 vote sent the bill back to the Assembly to approve Senate amendments.

------

On the Net:

Read the bill, AB2765, at www.senate.ca.gov