SACRAMENTO — Assembly Speaker Willie Brown is quick to make it clear that he alone is in charge of his house. As he tells his members when he notices them chafing at his rule, only the lead dog gets a change of scenery.

Known for his shrewd use of power, Brown didn't take long to give the unusually large freshman class of 27 new Assembly members--and any other member who needed a reminder--a lesson in what it means to be at the head of this pack, and at the rear.

After a brutish election in which his party swept to victory, Brown began the introduction with the basics--seat assignments in the Assembly chamber. Since the 1980s, Republicans have been bunched on one side of the aisle and the Democrats were on the other.

But as he enters his record 13th year as Speaker, Brown decided to rein in his partisan house by upending the old order. When legislators return for the 1993 session on Monday, Republicans and Democrats will be dispersed. Liberals will sit by conservatives. Some of the most outspoken Democrats will be positioned close to some of the most vocal Republicans.

Republicans grouse that the 14 freshmen Democrats have veteran Democrats as their seatmates, presumably to teach the newcomers the ways of the Assembly. Not so with the new Republicans. GOP freshmen, for the most part, are seated next to other Republican freshmen.

"The rules of the house vest the majority with a great deal of authority--almost dictatorial authority," said Assembly Minority Leader Jim Brulte (R-Rancho Cucamonga). "We'll sit where we're assigned, and we'll continue to represent and speak out on behalf of Californians. We'll let the Democrats be petty."

The seating has made for some potentially uncomfortable, even explosive pairings. Curt Pringle, an Orange County Republican who returned to the Assembly by winning election in a new district, will sit directly behind Tom Umberg (D-Garden Grove). Umberg beat Pringle in an election two years ago.

"I knew it was a slap by Willie," Pringle said, laughing it off.

Assemblyman Bernie Richter (R-Chico) isn't quite so amused. "I'm 61, I'm elected to the state Legislature, and I'll be damned if they don't ask me to sit in the back of the bus," he said. Richter is paired with Larry Bowler (R-Elk Grove), another outspoken freshman. They are directly behind one of the most blunt Democratic jawsmiths, Steve Peace of Chula Vista.