Mazda Protege 2000 ES P0421 Code: How to Pass Inspection Without a $700 Converter?

Hi everyone, I've had the Engine Check Light on for about a year. The day before my state inspection, I had someone else reset the codes. The next day, I failed the inspection due to 'system not ready' status — three sensors were flagged: Catalyst, Evaporative System, and EGR. After driving approximately 80 miles, the ECL (Engine Control Light) came back on. I recently purchased my own OBD-II scanner and reset the codes manually while keeping it connected during driving. After 32 miles, the Catalyst Monitoring sensor became active, but the Check Engine Light returned. The Evaporative System Monitoring sensor is still not ready. My vehicle is a 2000 Mazda Protege ES. I've heard that vehicles from model years 1996–2000 may be allowed to pass inspections even if two sensors are not ready. Is this true for New Jersey? Are state-specific rules different, and where can I find official guidelines? The inspection report lists eight sensors as failing. What low-cost solutions exist to fix the P042 or P0421 issue and successfully pass the inspection? I cannot afford a $700 converter. DTC Details: - Stored Code: P0421 (Warmup Catalyst Efficiency Below Normal - Bank 1) - Freeze Frame Data: - Fuel System 1 Status: Closed Loop - Fuel System 2 Status: Not Supported - Calculated LOAD Value: 38.04% - Engine Coolant Temperature: 185.00 °F - Short Term Fuel Trim - Bank 1: -3.91% - Long Term Fuel Trim - Bank 1: 8.59% - Engine RPM: 2,074.00 rpm - Vehicle Speed Sensor: 47.85 mph Any advice on fixing this issue affordably and reliably? Thanks in advance!