1748                             Laws of Maryland                      [Ch. 790

successive academic years, or during a similar period between two
regular terms, whether or not successive, or during a period of paid
sabbatical leave provided for in the individual's contract, if the indi-
vidual has a contract or contracts to perform services in any such
capacity for an institution or institutions of higher education for
both such academic years or both such terms.

8.

(a)    Payment.—(1) [On and after January 1, 1936, contribu-
tions] Contributions shall accrue and become payable by each em-
ployer for each calendar year in which he is subject to this article
[, with respect to wages payable for employment for the years 1936,
1937, 1938, 1939 and 1940, and] upon wages paid with respect to
employment [after December 31, 1950 1940]. Such contributions shall
become due and be paid by each employer to the Executive Director
for the fund in accordance with such regulation as the Executive
Director may prescribe, and shall not be deducted, in whole or in
part, from the wages of individuals in his employ.

(2) In the payment of any contributions, a fractional part of a
cent shall be disregarded unless it amounts to one-half cent or more,
in which case it shall be increased to 1 cent.

(b)    Rate of contribution.—Each employer shall pay contribu-
tions equal to [the following percentages of wages with respect to
employment:

(1)    Nine-tenths of 1 per centum with respect to employment
during the calendar year 1936;

(2)    One and eight-tenths per centum with respect to employ-
ment during the calendar year 1937;

(3) ] two and seven-tenths per centum of wages paid with respect
to employment [during the calendar years 1938 and thereafter]
except as hereinafter provided.

(c)    Experience rating.—Each employer shall pay contributions
with respect to employment during any fiscal year prior to July 1,
1964, as required by this article prior to July 1, 1964, and each
employer shall pay contributions at the standard rate of two and
seven-tenths (2.7) per cent of wages paid by him during the fiscal
year beginning JULY 1, 1964, and during each fiscal year thereafter
with respect to employment occurring after June 30, 1964, except as
otherwise provided herein.

(1) For taxable periods beginning on and after January 1, 1972
each employer who has not been subject to this article for a sufficient
period of time to have his rate computed under the provisions hereof
shall pay contributions at a rate not exceeding 2.7 per cent, that is
the higher of (a) 1.0 per cent, or (b) the State's five-year benefit
cost rate. For purposes of this paragraph, the State's five-year bene-
fit cost rate shall be computed annually and shall be derived by
dividing the total dollar amount of REGULAR BENEFITS AND
ONE-HALF OF ANY EXTENDED benefits paid to claimants under
this article during the five consecutive calendar years immediately