1778 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 764

all employers during the first four of the last five completed
calendar quarters, which payrolls were subject to contribu-
tions and reported to the Board, all contribution rates as
shown in the table in Sub-section 7 (c) (4) (ii) shall pre-
vail;

(3) For any calendar quarter, when as of the beginning
of the first day of the preceding calendar quarter, the total
amount available for benefits in the Maryland Unemploy-
ment Compensation Fund is a sum which equals or exceeds
6% but is less than 7. 5% of the total payrolls paid by all
employers during the first four of the last five completed
calendar quarters, which payrolls were subject to contribu-
tions and reported to the Board, all contribution rates shall
be increased by 0. 3 except that those contribution rates
which are established at 0. 2 shall be increased by 0. 1 and
those contribution rates which are established at 2. 7 shall
not be further increased.

(4) For any calendar quarter, when as of the beginning
of the first day of the preceding calendar quarter, the total
amount available for benefits in the Maryland Unemploy-
ment Compensation Fund is a sum which exceeds 5% but
is less than 6% of the total payrolls paid by all employers
during the first four of the last five completed calendar
quarters, which payrolls were subject to contributions and
reported to the Board, all contribution rates shall be in-
creased by 0. 6 except that those contribution rates which
are already set at 0. 2 shall be increased by 0. 4 and those
contribution rates which are established at 2. 4 shall be in-
creased by 0. 3 and those contribution rates which are
established at 2. 7 shall not be further increased.

(c) (6) [ No employer's rate shall be varied from the 2. 7
per cent, rate, for any fiscal year unless, as of the preced-
ing March 31 the total amount available for benefits in the
Maryland unemployment fund equals or exceeds 5% of the
total annual payrolls subject to contributions that were
paid by all employers during the previous calendar year. ]
No employer shall pay at a contribution rate less than 2. 7%

for any quarter unless the amount available for benefits in

the Maryland Unemployment Compensation Fund as of the
beginning of the first day of the preceding quarter equals

or exceeds the greater of:
(a) 5% of the total payrolls paid by all employers during
the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters,
which payrolls were subject to contributions and reported
to the Board, or

(b) $70, 000, 000.