HARRY HUGHES, Governor

5021

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 2.8 percent, that is
the higher of (a) 1.0 percent, (b) the State's five-year
benefit cost rate or (c) the contribution rate which
pursuant to paragraph (4), applies to employers with a
benefit ratio of .0000. For purposes of this paragraph, the
State's five-year benefit 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 preceding the
computation date by the total dollar amount of wages subject
to contributions under this article during the same period.

(2)  The Executive Director shall maintain an
experience-rating record for each employer. Nothing in this
article shall be construed to grant to any employer or to
individuals performing services for him prior claims or
rights to the amounts paid by the employer into the fund.

Except as required by paragraph (i) of this subsection,
benefits paid shall be charged against employer
experience-rating records as hereafter specified.

If the claimant earned 75 percent or more of his base
period wages from the principal base period employer, all
regular benefits and the appropriate share of any extended
benefits paid to such individual shall be charged against
the experience-rating record of his principal base period
employer (as defined in paragraph (9) of this subsection).
If the claimant earned less than 75 percent of his base
period wages from the principal base period employer, all
regular benefits and. the appropriate share of any extended
benefits paid to such individuals shall be charged on a pro
rata basis to all base period employers. The percentage of
the charge to each base period employer shall be in the same
proportion as the amount of wages paid to the claimant by
each such employer is to the total amount of wages received
by the claimant during the base period, and shall be
computed as a whole number without decimals. With respect
to governmental entities, the appropriate share of any
extended benefits shall be one half of any extended benefits
paid to such individuals for compensable weeks beginning on
or before December 31, 1978, and all extended benefits paid
to such individuals for compensable weeks beginning after
December 31, 1978. With respect to all other employers, the
appropriate share of any extended benefits shall be one half
of any extended benefits paid to such individuals.