In our area, the major zoning requirement for a basement
bedroom is that two exits must exist. One exit is generally
the stairway to the ground floor. The second exit can be a
direct exit "to daylight", a window which qualifies as an
"egress window", or a second stairway to the first floor.


That last is mildly odd. The model codes require the
separate means of egress to be separated by a fire
assembly, (or something like that), meaning that
a second stairway leading to the garage would
be OK, but on set of stairs to the kitchen,
and another one to the family room wouldn't be.
(Unless the house is strangly constructed).

Apparently, the idea being that a fire that starts in
one place shouldn't be able to block or smoke out
both exits unless it's been burning for more than
an hour.