Your link to rules isn't working, but I wasn't going to read them that closely anyway cause cali rules don't matter that much to me. I think that rules for engines swaps generally specify that the engine must be same year model, or newer that the receiving vehicle, and that the emissions equipment match the engine.
As for your "50 state" engines from Blueprint. Go back and read what the blueprint site says about those engines. They are essentially stock replacement engines built to factory specfications and emissions legal when used in the specified applications with original emissions equipment. Those "50 state" engines aren't high performance engines, they are just built with "tighter machining tolerances, higher quality components, and finer balancing" per their sales literature.
Of note, the Explorer isn't listed as an application on any of those. An Explorer is the only potential 5.0L (SBF 5.0L) swap that could be "50 state" emissions legal on a 98+ Ranger, so technically the Blueprint engines wouldn't be guranteed to be legal anyway. That is not to say that they couldn't pass an emissions test when used with the Explorer emissions equipment, just that they do not carry a carb certification or gurantee for that application.
If you want to do a 5.0L SBF based V8 swap on a 2001 Ranger and ensure 50 state legality, a 2001 Explorer is likely the only acceptable donor. If you are starting from scratch you'd be better off selecting a '98 or '99 Ranger (esentially the same vehicle) and have more options for donor. You are still restricted to Explorers since ity is the ojnly thing that used the 5.0L after 1995, but you would have a larger selection. A '99 could use a 99-01 Explorer as a donor and those years would be most compatible for the swap with the fuel, PATS, and VSS systems matching.
Are you thinking about building your own trail rig now? If not I don't know why we're still discussing this. You've already got a nice truck that Thedrill put together and you've already stated that you are not up to the task of building one yourself. I still stand by my earlier statements regarding your brother and his chioce of rig, as well as the engine selection for a trail truck.