OBD code 0460 - Fuel level circuit malfunction

The message is clear, the question is, what it cost to fix? 2001 SEL, Vulcan. It's for real, because the dashboard fuel gauge is erratic. Based on Haynes, the fuel pump and level sensor/sending are a single unit, in the gas tank. Looks like a lengthy (and expensive) job. Anybody out there who had this done?
BTW: The idiot MVA (Maryland) won't pass the car's emission test based on this. No amount of explanation that the fuel level sending circuit has nothing to do with what comes out of the tailpipe could convince them otherwise. Obviously the sorry level of (un)education that's endemic in the entire US, has reached the higher decisionmaking of governments by now, the simplistic stupid rule is, that is if the engine light is on (for whatever reason) it won't pass the emissions(!) test. They just don't get it that the engine light is a diagnostic tool, not merely an emissions malfunction indicator. God, it's painful to be ruled by idiots.

My 2000 Mazda 626 just got the P0461 last night. Nothing on the Mazda forum for it. I come to this one and see yours. Didn't find any hits. I haven't started troubleshooting yet but will see what the other folks have to say.

John


PS - Whats up with Maryland (MVA)? Are other states like that?