The first draft of a new federal rule set to dramatically change how state and local governments use drones has just been released. The public now has 60 days to send their feedback to the Federal Register to shape a policy that could make an enormous difference in their operations.

The proposed rule would create a standardized pathway for drones to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), entering the country into a new era of public safety, infrastructure management and emergency response as well as overhaul the use of commercial drones by private companies.

For years, agencies and companies wanting to fly drones beyond a pilot's line of sight -- for example, to inspect a long stretch of pipeline or respond to an emergency on the far side of a mountain -- had to get a special waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This was a slow, one-by-one process that made it hard for drone programs to grow.

This proposed rule is meant to end that. It would create a standardized pathway for drones to fly BVLOS, a change that could usher in a new era of public safety, infrastructure management and emergency response. In a press conference Aug. 5, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the new rule would fundamentally change the way people and products move in American airspace.

"Change the way you get your Amazon package, you may get your Starbucks cup of coffee from a drone, the way you get your products will fundamentally change," said Duffy. "What's even more important is the impact on manufacturing, farming, medical delivery -- industry needs this rule to make sure they can use this technology that's going to allow them to do business more efficiently and effectively."

Watch highlights of the press conference below.

Duffy explained the new rule has been a long time coming, well before President Donald Trump returned to office, as these discussions about changing the BVLOS waiver had been happening for nearly five years. Trump's executive orders helped to accelerate the process, specifically pushing for American-made drones to lead the way in U.S. airspace.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the proposed rule, a document more than 600 pages long, was crafted with safety and cybersecurity implications in mind.

"We're thinking about all of the potential threats as well as the opportunities that go with deployment of drones," said Bedford, who admitted that the previous rule was "difficult" to manage and created an "uneven playing field."

While the rule opens the door to new opportunities, like drone-as-first-responder programs, it also raises critical questions about privacy and security. The prospect of more police drones in the sky, potentially with advanced surveillance technology, has created controversy over the use of drones in public spaces.

Drones have also at times caused problems for state and local emergency operations. In Kerr County, Texas, a drone collided with a rescue helicopter as officials conducted flood rescue operations, forcing it to make an emergency landing. As a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft battled the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, it was struck by a drone, disabling the aircraft.

To address safety and security incidents, the rule requires drones to use advanced detect-and-avoid technology to prevent collisions with other aircraft and obstacles. Key personnel involved in BVLOS operations will also have to undergo a security threat assessment from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

But the new rules also raise fresh questions. Duffy's comments invited a debate about local enforcement of drone activity.

"I do think communities have to have a say in, 'Do they want drone use in their communities,'" he said. He pointed out that new drone technology has made the tools unnoticeable. "You don't even know you're there unless you look up. So I think with the evolution of the technology and the noise that comes from a drone, you're going to see a lot of communities that want this technology in their neighborhoods."

The funding for this change is a work in progress. While federal money has been allocated to start the process, more will be needed. The push for a final rule is also on a tight deadline, with Trump's executive order setting a target for BVLOS operations by February 2026.