AFAIK your first point is already done in the game. You just have to have the ability researched.

If you have at least 1 in a path (Like Fire) and have the spell researched, it will allow you to script spells that are outside of their range to cast.

On point 2. I would like more spaces to cast (if only 1) but I understand why they might not want to implement this - because there are instances where you could buff yourself to invulnerability then attack. So it's a toss up.