New employers get a rate based on the weighted average for similar employers at first, with a special minimum rate rule and an exception for a negative reserve balance.
§1535. Variation from standard rates A. A new employer's rate for his first experience-rating year, and until his experience-rating record could have been charged with benefits throughout the twenty-four consecutive calendar month period ending on the computation date, shall be the weighted average rate for employers in the same two-digit North American Industrial Classification System according to the latest computation thereof under the applicable rate table as provided in R.S. 23:1536(D)(3). However, if his reserve reflects a negative balance for any experience-rating year, his rate for such year shall be the maximum applicable to any employer for that experience-rating year. When his experience-rating record could have been charged with benefits throughout the twenty-four consecutive calendar month period ending on computation day, his rate shall be as provided in R.S. 23:1536. B. An employer's rate for his first three experience-rating years established under the provisions of Subsection A of this Section shall not be less than one percent. C. New employers shall not be charged for the amount of the social charge attributable to the Workforce Development Training Account provided for in R.S. 23:1553(B)(8) and (10). Amended by Acts 1954, No. 503, §1; Acts 1975, No. 466, §2; Acts 1983, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 3, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; Acts 1987, No. 864, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1987, No. 906, §2, eff. Sept. 30, 1987; Acts 1988, No. 175, §1; Acts 1988, No. 177, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1997, No. 1053, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 197, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 422, §1, eff. June 15, 2001; Acts 2005, No. 239, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.