No employer's contribution rate shall be reduced from five and four-tenths percent for any rate year, except as provided in section 1324 of this title, unless and until his or her experience-rating record has been chargeable with benefits throughout the three consecutive calendar years immediately preceding the rate year with respect to which said rate shall be reduced and contributions were payable by him or her with respect to such three calendar years; provided that an employer who has not been subject to the law for a period of time sufficient to meet this requirement may qualify for a reduced rate if his or her record has been chargeable with benefits throughout a lesser number of consecutive calendar years but in no event less than one calendar year immediately preceding the rate year with respect to which said rate shall be reduced and contributions were payable by him or her with respect to such period. (Amended 1963, No. 106, § 3; 1971, No. 77, § 5, eff. Dec. 31, 1971; 1983, No. 124 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)