(1) (a) Any part-time Commonwealth's attorney may voluntarily become a full-time Commonwealth's attorney effective January 1, 1997, or at the beginning of any subsequent budget cycle by:
1. Not engaging in the private practice of law after the time he becomes a full-time Commonwealth's attorney; and 2. By giving written notice to the Prosecutors Advisory Council not less than ninety (90) days prior to the beginning of the budget cycle at which he is to become a full-time Commonwealth's attorney, of his intention to do so.
(b) The Prosecutors Advisory Council shall review all requests from part-time Commonwealth's attorneys and shall approve such requests based on available funds, population, caseload data, and other relevant information.
(2) A circuit which has been authorized to have a full-time Commonwealth's attorney shall not revert to part-time status for that position.