Opinion ID: 1730012
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: compliance with title 177

Text: Royer argues that the breath test was not conducted in accordance with the methods currently approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and that, therefore, the test results should have been suppressed. The county court admitted the breath test results and overruled the motion to suppress, and the district court affirmed the county court's judgment. State law concerning tests to determine if a party has been driving under the influence provides that blood or breath tests must be performed according to methods approved by DHHS and by an individual possessing a valid permit issued by DHHS. Neb.Rev.Stat. § 60-6,201(3) (Reissue 2004). A prerequisite to the validity of a breath test made under [Neb.Rev.Stat.] § 60-6,197(3), and consequently a prerequisite to the validity of an arrest, is that the test must be performed in accordance with the procedures approved by the Department of Health and by an individual possessing a valid permit issued by such department for such purpose.... (Emphasis omitted.) McGuire v. Department of Motor Vehicles, 253 Neb. 92, 96, 568 N.W.2d 471, 474 (1997), quoting § 60-6,201(3). Hanson testified that he held a valid Class B permit to administer a breath test. A Class B permit allows its holder to perform a chemical test to analyze a subject's breath for alcohol content by an approved method. 177 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 1, § 001.08B. The operating rules for the holder of a Class B permit provide that to determine the alcohol content in breath, the permit holder shall [a]scertain that maintenance and calibration checks have been performed on devices prior to testing by reviewing the current 40-day maintenance and calibration check performed on the testing device, including ... the results of [DHHS]' report of the periodic 190[-]day device check sample. 177 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 1, § 007.02A. The permit holder is also to maintain or have access to the permit to perform chemical tests; a current copy of the rules and regulations; checklist technique forms, test record cards, or tapes produced by testing device; and the record of testing devices' repairs. 177 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 1, § 007.02B. Under the rules, the permit holder is also directed to use the appropriate checklist to record the test. 177 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 1, § 007.02C. The checklist technique for the Intoxilyzer Model 5000 used by Hanson to test Royer's breath indicates that the first step is to verify that maintenance, repair, and calibration verification have been performed by reviewing the maintenance record. The tester then turns on the instrument and observes the subject for 15 minutes prior to testing. The 'START TEST' button is then pushed, and the test record card is inserted. A clean mouthpiece is attached, and the subject blows into the breath tube until a sufficient sample is delivered. The digital reading is recorded, the used mouthpiece is discarded, the card is removed, and the tester turns off the instrument. Hanson testified that he had been trained to administer the Intoxilyzer Model 5000. Prior to administering the test, Hanson observed Royer for 15 minutes, read Royer the postarrest chemical test advisement form, and completed the Intoxilyzer Model 5000 checklist. Royer agreed to provide a breath sample, and the sample was sufficient to obtain a result, which was recorded by Hanson. The parties stipulated that the scheduled maintenance and calibration verification log included the record of maintenance for 40 days and 190 days, and they stipulated that no repairs had been made to the Intoxilyzer during the relevant time. The scheduled maintenance and calibration verification log received into evidence indicated that the maintenance and calibration checks were performed on July 15, 2005, and were valid until August 23. The Intoxilyzer was tested on May 3, 2005, using a Simulator Check Sample. The results of this testing fell within the target value range as provided in title 177 and were valid until November 14. No repair work had been done on the Intoxilyzer during the period included in the log. Royer's breath test was administered on August 9 and was within the period covered by the maintenance and calibration checks. Royer argues the State must prove that the officer administering the breath test checked the maintenance record in order to meet foundational requirements for the admission of the breath test. This court has held that there are four foundational requirements which must be met before the State may offer into evidence the results of a breath test: (1) That the testing device or equipment was in proper working order at the time of conducting the test; (2) That the person giving and interpreting the test was properly qualified and held a valid permit issued by the Nebraska Department of Health at the time of conducting the test; (3) That the test was properly conducted in accordance with a method currently approved by the Nebraska Department of Health; and (4) That there was compliance with all statutory requirements. State v. Dail, 228 Neb. 653, 661, 424 N.W.2d 99, 104 (1988). Royer argues that Hanson did not follow the regulations, because he did not verify whether any repairs had been performed by reviewing the repair records and because he did not review the report of the periodic 190-day check of the Intoxilyzer. Although there may be a dispute about whether Hanson reviewed the repair records, any failure to do so does not invalidate the test under these circumstances. Royer stipulated that there had been no repairs to the instrument during the relevant period of time. Evidence in the record establishes that the calibration of the instrument was correct and that it was in proper working order. We review the district court's decision for errors appearing on the record and, thus, consider whether the decision conforms to the law, is supported by competent evidence, and is neither arbitrary, capricious, nor unreasonable. See State v. Dittoe, 269 Neb. 317, 693 N.W.2d 261 (2005). The lower courts' findings concerning administration of the breath test are supported by competent evidence, and we find no clear error related to the admission of the breath test evidence.