Keene has been the Republicanwhip and Vice Chair of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife. He is currently the senior Republican on the Budget Committee. Keene is also a member of the Appropriations Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. Keene served as the principal consultant to the former California State Assembly Republican floor leaderKevin McCarthy.
Keene's eldest son, Chris, was the bassist and backup vocalist for the now-defunct Chico indie band Cair Paravel and a guitarist and vocalist for the band Number One Gun, and has recently signed a contract for a new endeavor with Tooth & Nail records.