The Department of Financial Services believes that adopting an emergency rule is essential to protect the public because without the repeal of the existing rule, homeowners may take measures to protect their homes which place them at risk of assuming unintended financial obligations. In the absence of this emergency rule, homeowners may contract with home inspectors while under the misconception that the home inspection will be at no cost to them. Because funding for the home inspection program has been discontinued by the Florida Legislature, state funds are not currently available for this purpose.