(a) The standard rate of contribution shall be 5.4 percent. The standard rate of contribution is the rate from which variations therefrom are computed as provided in Code Section 34-8-155.
(b) No employer's rate shall be reduced below the rate for new employers as specified in Code Section 34-8-151 for any calendar year, except as provided in Code Section 34-8-155, unless and until such employer's account could have been chargeable with benefit payments throughout the 36 consecutive calendar months ending on the computation date for that calendar year.