Send in the clowns -- just make sure they're not carrying balloons.

The California Senate has voted to ban helium-filled metallic balloons because they too frequently fly away and get tangled in electrical lines. That has caused hundreds of power outages in recent years and led to costly repairs for utilities.

Starting in 2010, anyone caught selling the popular party supplies faces a $100 fine under a bill the Senate approved Thursday and sent to the state Assembly.

Sen. Jack Scott, a Democrat from Altadena, says the balloons are a growing cause of outages when they break free and cause power lines to arc.

The balloons caused more than 200 power outages last year in Northern California, according to Pacific Gas and Electric Co., the region's major utility. Southern California Edison reported nearly 400 outages from balloons and kites in 2005.