State Representative Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee) introduced a bill in the Georgia House that would decriminalize "tubing under the influence" on Georgia's waterways.

Some might find it surprising that a former state trooper would be pushing to make drinking while floating down a river or in a lake, legal.  Lumsden says that there is a big difference between having a beer and floating in an inner-tube than there is operating a boat.  He told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that other laws such as disorderly conduct or public drunkenness could be used if there is a problem with someone drinking on the waterways who is not operating a watercraft.

Lumsden said that it's not prudent to become intoxicated and enter Georgia's waterways, but feels that tubing or rafting should be removed from Georgia's boating under the influence laws.

The bill passed the Georgia House on Tuesday unanimously and moves on to the state senate.