This paper addresses the theory and practice of drought planning at the state level in the U.S., with results revealing areas where the long-term effectiveness of state-level planning can be improved. The majority of state governments in the U.S. have developed drought planning processes to reduce drought impacts through a combination of monitoring, mitigation, and coordinated government response. Increasing costs of droughts and other natural hazards, however, have led to a rethinking of hazard management as emergency response, as well as a growing interest in the "pro-active" mitigation of natural hazards. Approximately 25-30 state drought planning processes were reviewed for the ways in which drought impacts have been assessed, how drought vulnerabilities have been identified, and how such information has been used to develop mitigation programs that reduce vulnerability and improve preparedness and resilience. Results are presented as guidance for implementing drought mitigation efforts that decreases the reliance on emergency response.