Huffman's pest law passes in Senate

<p>The California Senate has approved legislation that would require a public health evaluation before the state could order aerial spraying to control agricultural pests.</p><p>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.</p><p>It was canceled in June after months of public uproar.</p><p>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.</p><p>The state would also have to evaluate the public health risks and reveal each ingredient in the pesticide to be sprayed.</p><p>Friday's 23-12 vote sent the bill back to the Assembly to approve Senate amendments.</p>