Is Your State Ready for Drone Commerce? 2025 State-by-State Drone Readiness Scorecard Update A comprehensive update to the leading U.S. framework for evaluating state readiness for commercial drone operations, low-altitude airspace governance, and advanced air mobility. This report updates Brent Skorup’s 2023 Mercatus Center drone readiness scorecard using the same six-factor methodology, rescoring all 50 states based on statutes and programs in force through October 2025. It is designed for lawmakers, regulators, cities, operators, investors, and researchers evaluating where drone commerce can scale safely, legally, and with public acceptance.
Endorsements and perspectives Utah State Legislature Senator Wayne Harper Chair, Utah Senate Transportation Interim Committee Utah’s passage of SB 135, which allows leasing of navigable airspace for drone operations, and the creation of our AAM sandbox show our belief that the future of mobility includes the skies just above us. The Drone Readiness Report helped highlight key areas for development that shaped these initiatives. Its updated edition gives lawmakers across the country a clear framework for balancing federal aviation oversight with state and local landuse authority. By recognizing property rights and establishing safe drone corridors, we can unlock economic growth while preserving public trust.
New Vista Capital Dennis Muilenburg CEO, New Vista Capital Former Chairman, President and CEO, The Boeing Company Commercial drone operations will only scale when state frameworks match the realities of flight operations, property rights, and public acceptance. The Drone Readiness Report does an exceptional job mapping where states have built that foundation and where gaps remain. It gives industry, regulators, and legislators a shared playbook for enabling safe, repeatable operations.
SkyTrade Jonathan Dockrell CEO, SkyTrade Low-altitude airspace is infrastructure, and infrastructure requires clear property rights. States that define access above public rights-of-way and align land-use authority with FAA