1) I don't use ZWave, but it is my understanding that they should all send their status as you suggest and you can certainly poll them (though should not be necessary). I don't know why they would not update as I've never used them.
2) I've seen reports that the tamper switch does not reset unless you do something to the module itself. I don't know anything beyond that, but it's been reported in a couple threads, so you might be able to search and find some useful information.
3) Are you sure you have the smart lights set up correctly? To make it work, you must have a motion sensor, a luminescence sensor, and a light of some kind. You modify the smart lights settings for the light such that it triggers based on the motion sensor's name. I don't remember how the lumin value is set in the code, so I can't help there. Once you have it configured, make sure you select "UPDATE" or else settings will be lost. Finally, if everything is configured correctly, you will have your lights turn on only when the lumens are below a threshold set in the APP. Make sure it's dark enough. Also, make sure the lumen sensor is not close to the light you are triggering or you will have a flashing light situation.