The 1996 California State Assembly elections were held on November 5, 1996. California's State Assembly in its entirety comes up for election in even numbered years. Each seat has a two-year term and members are limited to three 2-year terms. All 80 biennially elected seats in the Assembly were up for election this year. Democrats gained 4 seats, retaking control of the Assembly after narrowly losing control in 1994.

The 1994 California State Assembly elections were held on November 8, 1994. California's State Assembly in its entirety comes up for election in even numbered years. Each seat has a two-year term and members are limited to three 2-year terms. All 80 biennially elected seats in the Assembly were up for election this year. Republicans gained a net of eight seats from the Democrats, taking control of the chamber by a slim margin. However, Assemblyman Paul Horcher soon left the party to become an independent, allowing Speaker Willie Brown to remain in power for a few months until Horcher was recalled.